Box Score
CAMDEN, NJ. (April 14, 2016) – The Rutgers University-Camden baseball team didn't waste any time taking control of its New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Thursday afternoon.
The Scarlet Raptors scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and rode the strong pitching of junior
Zach Welsher (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) and three relievers to a 7-1 victory over Stockton University at Campbell's Field.
The win was the fourth straight for Rutgers-Camden, which improves to 15-8 overall and 3-4 in the NJAC. Stockton, which has now lost its last six games against Rutgers-Camden, falls to 3-17 overall and 0-5 in conference play.
After Welsher (2-0) set down the side in order in the top of the first inning, the first four Scarlet Raptors reached base in the bottom of the frame, sparking a four-run inning. Senior first baseman
Joe Sigismondi (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) was hit by the first pitch from Stockton sophomore starter
Brandon Perna (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West). It marked the 43rd time in Sigismondi's career he has been hit by a pitch, four shy of tying the program record.
Junior leftfielder
Joe Brooks (Blackwood, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) followed with a single to right and advanced to second on an unsuccessful attempt to throw out Sigismondi at third. Freshman shortstop
Chris Jones (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) singled home one run and senior second baseman
Brett Tenuto (Audubon, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) followed with an RBI double. One out later, Jones scored on a wild pitch. Tenuto was out at the plate when junior rightfielder
Doug Carter Jr. (Union, NJ/Union) hit into a fielder's choice, but stayed in a rundown long enough for Carter to reach second. He scored on a single to left field by junior catcher
Jon Theckston (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester Catholic).
Rutgers-Camden tacked on a run in the second, sparked by a leadoff single from junior centerfielder
Cory Kreamer (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge). He advanced on a ground out and a single by Brooks before scoring on a sacrifice fly/error in right field hit by Jones.
Stockton scored its lone run of the game in the third inning on a walk and two hits, including an RBI single by senior designated hitter
Mark Mangarella (Milltown, NJ/Spotswood). That was all Welsher allowed in six innings of work as he hurled six-hit ball, walking two and striking out six. A trio of Raptor relievers – juniors
John Griffin (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) and
Justin Geri (Vineland, NJ/Buena Regional), and senior
Kyle Gaff (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City) each pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one hit apiece, to close out the game.
Rutgers-Camden scored its final two runs in the eighth inning after freshman third baseman
Ray Taylor (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) was hit by a pitch with one out. Taylor was forced at second on a fielder's choice by Kreamer, who proceeded to steal second and advance to third on a passed ball. Sigismondi walked and stole second before Brooks walked to load the bases. Jones ripped a two-run single through the left side of the infield.
Jones had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with one run and four RBIs to pace an 11-hit Raptor attack. Brooks and Kreamer added two hits apiece, while Kreamer and Sigismondi both scored two runs. Brooks' two hits gave him exactly 200 total bases for his career, making him only the ninth player in program history to reach that milestone.
Rutgers-Camden visits Stockton Friday at 3:30 p.m. to complete the home-and-home NJAC series.
