GLASSBORO, N.J. | After squeaking into the NJAC Playoffs by winning three of their last four games, the Scarlet Raiders earned the #6 seed and scheduled a date with #1 Rowan University. The Profs bested the Scarlet Raiders in the regular season but Rutgers University-Newark flipped the script this afternoon and stunned top-seeded Rowan with a 6-4 win to advance to the winner's bracket on Friday May 3 in Union, N.J. 

Senior pitcher Luis Rojas (2-5) got the start on the bump for Rutgers-Newark (16-17) and pitched a complete game while striking out four batters. John Klimowich led the squad with a pair of RBI while going 1-for-2 from the plate while Luke Magliaro registered the lone multi-hit game finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI. 

Andrew DiPiazza (5-1) came into the game for the Profs (29-9) undefeated and left with his first blemish of the season after allowing four runs on four hits despite tallying 12 strikeouts in six innings of action. Anthony Harrold picked up two RBI with a single hit while Frankie Aiello secured two hits in four plate appearances. 

Both teams were held scoreless through the first two frames but then the Scarlet Raiders broke open the deadlock with four runs in the top of the third.

Matthew Rypkema was first on for the R-N via a walk which was followed up by a Michael Streim base on balls to put the first two batters on. Lisandro Ulerio laid down a bunt and blazed down the base path to load 'em up with no outs. Connor Clare would remain patient at the plate to walk in a run before Streim took advantage of a passed ball to double the lead. 

Klimowich put his only hit of the game to good use by bringing in both Clare and Ulerio with a two-RBI single through the left side. 

The Profs answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, using a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to cut the lead down to two. Rowan University cut the lead down to one in the bottom of the fifth with another sacrifice fly to center field which brought in Walker from third.

Rutgers-Newark pushed its lead back out to two in the top of the seventh when a fielding error allowed Ryan Zucker to safely reach first base. Caleb Ware was installed into the game when he pinch ran for Zucker and used his speed to steal second, putting him in scoring position. L. Magliaro found an opening in left field and hit an RBI single to bring in Ware before getting thrown out trying to get back to first for the final out of the frame.

Rypkema added another run in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly to right field which scored Klimowich. The Profs were able to produce a run of their own to bring the lead down to two, but could not get any closer as Rojas shut them down on the back of 177 pitches. 

The Scarlet Raiders will now play #3 Ramapo College on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in Union, N.J. as Kean University hosts the remainder of the tournament. Ramapo dropped their game to #4 TCNJ via a 9-2 scoreline this afternoon setting up the fourth meeting of the season between the Raiders and Roadruners.