CAMDEN, N.J. (April 18, 2024) – Senior second baseman Danny Vazquez added another record to his Rutgers University-Camden baseball career here Thursday as he became the program's all-time leader in double plays, but the Scarlet Raptors lost to Stockton University, 6-2, in New Jersey Athletic Conference action.
 
The win lifts the Ospreys into a first-place NJAC tie with Ramapo College, which lost to Kean University on Thursday. Both Ramapo and Stockton have 8-3 conference marks, while Rutgers-Camden and Kean are at 7-4.
 
Stockton improved to 17-12 overall, while Rutgers-Camden fell to 20-10.
 
Vazquez, who entered the game tied for the program's career record with Chris Jones (2016-19), collected the 83rd double play of his career in the second inning, fielding a grounder near second base, stepping on the bag and firing to first base to complete the twin killing. The record becomes the third career mark for Vazquez, who holds the program standard for sacrifices (22) and raised his own assist record to 354 with his four assists Thursday.
 
Rutgers-Camden held a 2-0 lead through four innings, scoring one run apiece in the third and fourth. In the third, sophomore catcher Evan Carbone had a bunt single and sophomore left fielder Jacob Watson singled for his 97th career hit. They advanced on a passed ball and Carbone scored on a balk.
 
In the fourth, junior right fielder Steven Shaffer hit a leadoff double and scored on a single by junior first baseman Diego Salazar.
 
Stockton scored an unearned run in the fifth on a pair of hits and a passed ball. Sophomore right fielder Tony Gatti plated the run with a single.
 
The Ospreys took the lead for good in the sixth inning on an error and a two-run home run by sophomore first baseman Nick Avagnano. The Ospreys added three more in the seventh on three hits, a pair of walks and an error. The big hit was a two-run double by junior left fielder Tucker Elder.
 
Junior pitcher Rob Jeans (2-3) worked six innings of eight-hit ball to earn the win. He allowed two runs – only one earned – and one walk, while striking out four.
 
Raptor junior Daniel Robeson (1-3) was the tough-luck losing pitcher, allowing only one earned run out of the four charged against him. He worked 6.1 innings of eight-hit ball and didn't walk any batters. He fanned one.
 
Avagnano went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs for Stockton. Carbone and senior shortstop Billy Richards both had two hits for Rutgers-Camden.
 
The Scarlet Raptors return to action Friday when they entertain Stockton University in a 3:30 p.m. New Jersey Athletic Conference game.