Rutgers Athletics News
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Scarlet Knights Get First Victory at Bainton Field In 2008

3/12/2008 7:33:46 PM

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers baseball team erased a 3-2 early deficit with a 10-run fourth inning before an out in the frame en route to a 16-3 victory over the New Jersey Institute of Technology Wednesday afternoon at Bainton Field.

The Scarlet Knights (4-6) came back from a 2-0 first-inning deficit with one swing of the bat as sophomore Dan Betteridge (Sewell, N.J.) cleared the wall in left field for his first career home run in the second inning.

A Dom Hayes solo home run put the Highlanders (2-8) up, 3-2, in the fourth inning, but the lead was short-lived as Rutgers erupted for 10 runs in the bottom half of the inning and never looked back en route to the lopsided victory. Newly-inserted Highlander pitcher Mike Burgaleta issued three-straight bases-loaded walks to plate the first scores of the inning before being replaced by Chris Parenti. After a wild pitch scored a fourth run, Gossard hit an infield single to plate the fifth score of the frame. Three more runs came home when freshman Jaren Matthews (Teaneck, N.J.) tripled to the gap in left center. A ninth run came across thanks to a ground-rule double from junior Luis Feliz (New Brunswick, N.J.), his second hit of the frame. NJIT inserted its third pitcher of the inning in Spiro Molfetas. After a sacrifice fly from Vic Cegles (Phoenix, Ariz.) scored the 10th and final run of the inning, the Highlander hurler retired the next two batters to end the long frame.

Rutgers used a pair of NJIT errors and a wild pitch to plate two additional runs in the eighth.

Meanwhile, Rutgers starter Jon McCue (Hillside, N.J.) struck out six and allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings of work to pick up his first win of 2008. The duo of Kyle Bradley (Howell, N.J.)Ryan Beard (Point Pleasant, N.J.) worked scoreless frames in relief for RU. and

Burgaleta (0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up six runs in the fourth. The Highlanders used six pitchers in the contest.

Senior Jon Gossard (Harrington Park, N.J.), Feliz and Betteridge each collected three hits to lead the Scarlet Knights\’ 10-hit attack. Wednesday also marked the collegiate debut of true freshman Mike Lang (Dumont, N.J.) and red-shirt freshman Matt Meyerkopf (Florham Park, N.J.).

The 16 runs on Wednesday were the most scored this season and the most since May 5, 2007 when RU defeated Cincinnati at Bainton Field, 16-6.

Rutgers travels south to the state of Florida for a three-game series with Iowa in DeLand, Fla., the home of Stetson University. The Scarlet Knights and Hawkeyes will open the series with a double-header at noon on Saturday.

STEPHANIE HERRICK EARNS USTFCCCA REGIONAL HONOR

By Lyle Fulton

Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey women’s indoor track and field team will look to add to its impressive list of All-Americans as the Lions have several individuals competing this weekend at the 2008 NCAA Division III Championships.

The championship event will be held March 14-15 and hosted by Ohio Northern University.

Junior Stephanie Herrick (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) earned All-American honors last season in the 800 meters and is poised to step onto the podium for the second straight year. The top eight finishers in each event are recognized as All-Americans. Herrick broke her own school record in that event last month with a swift time of 2:11.78. The trials for the event are set for Friday evening with the finals on Saturday. Her other individual event is the mile and she holds that school record as well. She qualified for the mile with a time of 4:56.25 at the New York University FasTrack Invitational.

The Lion will also be part of the distance medley relay. She will be joined on the DMR by junior Martine McGrath (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional), freshman Rochelle Prevard (Sicklervielle, NJ/Winslow Township) and freshman Meryl Wimberly (Farmingdale, NJ/Coltsneck) as the quartet teamed up for a qualifying mark of 11:57.14. Sophomore Jianna Spadaccini (Butler, NJ/Butler) has also ran in the relay during the course of the season and will serve as the alternate. That race will be the final event of the opening day of competition.

Herrick was also tabbed as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division III Atlantic Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.

McGrath will also run in the 5,000 meters as she qualified for the championships last week completing the race in 17:16.60. That race is set for Friday afternoon.

TCNJ will be represented in the field events by junior Kristen Tricocci (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) in the long jump. Tricocci’s qualifying leap came at the Princeton Relays as she sailed 5.48 meters. The preliminary and final rounds of the event will be held on Friday.

Oxford, OH – The College of New Jersey’s women’s swimming team opened competition at the 2008 NCAA Division III Championships on Thursday. The three-day event is being held at the Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center on the campus on Miami University.

TCNJ’s senior Lauren Pfeifer (Freehold, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) opened competition as she swam in the 50 freestyle event. She would record a personal best time of 24.97, but finished in 40th place and did not advance to the evening finals of the event.

Senior Ava Kiss (North Brunswick, NJ/Stuart Country Day) competed for the Lions in the 200 individual medley race and posted an impressive time of 2:10.42 to finish in 28th place, but did not advance to the finals.

On Friday, Kiss will compete in the 100 butterfly, while Pfeifer will compete in the 100 breaststroke.

Thursday, March 13-2008 (1500hours)

 

Brooklawn Fire Company was dispatched to 214 New Jersey for a reported house fire, the fire was on the first floor of a two story twin.

Fireman on left is Mike Wallace.

 

One female occupant was transported for smoke inhalation; Camden County Fire Marshal\’s Office is investigating.

 

Brooklawn Fire Department was assisted by Bellmawr, Mount Ephraim and West Collingswood Heights Fire Departments.

 

 

Steve Skipton photos