NJCBA Teams

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey sophomore John Rizzi (Long Hill, NJ/Watchung Hills) and junior Connor Smith (West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) were recognized as two of the top collegiate baseball players in the state of New Jersey in 2014. They both were named to New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Division II/III All-State teams.
 
Rizzi and Smith were selected by the organization's 17 college division member coaches. Candidates for these select teams included all of the Division II and III baseball programs that reside in the Garden State.
 
After recently earning an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove and regional honors, Rizzi was named NJCBA Second Team All-State as an outfielder. He posted a team-high .373 batting average, hitting safely in 30 of 38 games. Rizzi also led the Lions with 56 hits, 39 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. In the outfield, Rizzi committed just one error, while chasing down 108 fly balls. He was also a New Jersey Athletic Conference First Team honoree.
 
Smith was named to the NJCCA Third Team All-State. He quickly established his role as staff ace, opening the season with a complete-game victory over Suffolk University. Smith won his first four decisions and finished the season with a 6-2 overall record and five complete games. Perhaps his best performance of the year came at Rutgers University-Camden, when he tossed eight strong innings against the league's first-place team. Smith gave up just one earned run to propel the Lions to a crucial 6-2 conference road victory.
 
A transfer from Wagner University, Smith posted a 2.33 earned run average and led TCNJ in wins (6) and innings pitched (65.2). His six victories ranked second in the NJAC.

TCNJ finished the season with a 20-18 record and qualified for the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs.