Game 1 Box score

Game 2 Box score

Chandler, AZ ... The College of New Jersey baseball team split a pair of games today winning their first game over Monmouth College (Ill.) 11-5 before falling to Concorida University-Chicago 8-2.

Game 1
 
Freshman Nick Cifelli (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) had a double, a triple, and three runs batted in to lead a TCNJ offense that pounded out 17 hits. Senior Chris Esperon (Union, NJ/Union Catholic) and freshman Scott Kelly (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor North) also had two hits and two RBIs on the day.

Winning pitcher Greg Spatz (Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Township) notched the first victory of his senior campaign throwing six strong innings. Spatz scattered eights hit while striking out three and left the game with a one-run lead.

The Lions transformed a tight game into a comfortable lead scoring six runs in the seventh inning. Bases loaded hits by Esperon and Cifelli broke the game wide open. Freshman Mike Murphy (Staten Island, NU/Staten Island Tech) added a sacrifice fly in the inning and finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.

Jason Zegarski (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) continued to produce from the leadoff spot with three base hits and two runs scored. Senior Ryan Anzelone (Vernon, NJ/Vernon Twp.) and sophomore Mike Galeotafiore (Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) also had two hits apiece in the win.

Freshman Matt Rawson (Florham Park, NJ/Hanover Park) limited Monmouth to a single run over three innings of relief to earn his first career save. 

Game 2

TCNJ (2-4) ran into a veteran group of talented players as Concordia University-Chicago defeated the Lions 8-2.  The Cougars (5-0) won their fifth straight game to open the season and played very well in facets.

Murphy went 2-for-4 capping a 5-for-7 performance on the afternoon for the rookie right fielder. Murphy hit the ball well to all fields and is hitting at a .450 clip through six games this season. Galeotafiore drilled a pair of doubles and is currently hitting .455 with four doubles and six runs battted in.

Sophomore Dom Capuano (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) tossed 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief striking out three to keep the game in check, but Concordia held a tight grip on the game from start to finish.

After TCNJ tied the game 1-1 in the top of the third, the Cougars responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 5-1 advantage. They tacked on three more in the fifth as second baseman Zach Tropp had three hits and three stolen bases on the day.

The Lions will practice tomorrow and return the game-action on Saturday, March 13 to play a double-header against Keene State starting at 11 a.m.