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Monday, March 6, 2006 By Mike Ballard RAPTOR OF THE WEEK Senior first baseman Matt Calloway went 6-for-11 (.545) during the week to raise his early-season batting average to .500 (10-for-20) and extend his hitting streak to five games for the 3-2 Scarlet Raptor baseball team. Calloway leads the team in batting average, is second with seven runs and tied for second with five RBIs. His 10 hits give him 147 for his career, tying Tom Cusano (1991-94) for fourth place on the all-time list. Ahead of him is Jamie Schwantes (1994-97) in third place with 166. Brian Murphy (2001-04) holds the program record with 208. On March 1, Calloway hit the ninth sacrifice fly of his career, breaking a tie for the program record with Murphy. BASEBALL (3-2 overall/0-0 NJAC) March UPCOMING SCHEDULE: Mon. 6 at Albright College 3 p.m. California Trip (All times Pacific) After a snowy start to the season in Virginia, where two of the three games were cancelled at the Hampden-Sydney Tournament, the Scarlet Raptors have had plenty of home cooking at Campbell’s Field, where they have played four straight home games, beginning with a Feb. 25 win over John Jay College. The Raptors, however, continued having weather problems on the road, as their only scheduled road game since Virginia was postponed March 4 due to field conditions at Albright College. The teams will attempt to play a makeup game on March 6. Rutgers-Camden has made the most of its home stand, going 3-1 to hike its season record to 3-2. The Scarlet Raptors played three home games in five days last week, posting wins over a pair of Centennial Conference teams on March 1 (10-3 over Haverford College) and March 3 (8-4 over Franklin & Marshall College) and finishing that stretch with a tough 3-2 loss against SUNY-Brockport March 5. In the win over Haverford, the Raptors took advantage of three errors to score six unearned runs in the fourth inning as they rallied from a 3-0 deficit. After the Fords built a 3-0 lead through the first 3-1/2 innings, the game turned in the bottom of the fourth when Rutgers-Camden sophomore second baseman Dean Straga (Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Regional) reached on an error to open the frame. Following a ground out, Straga scored on a double to right-center by senior designated hitter Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). Senior left fielder Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) followed with a single. When junior catcher Tom Terrill (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) reached on an infield error, Faragasso scored to cut the gap to 3-2. Following a fielder’s choice, senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) singled home the tying run. Sophomore right fielder Joe Midili (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) singled home the go-ahead run and another run scored on a throwing error to the plate. Senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) capped the big frame by singling to center, scoring Midili. The Raptors added another unearned run in the fifth inning and Faragasso singled home a run in the sixth. Rutgers-Camden capped the game with a two-run seventh inning, featuring two hits, a sacrifice fly by Calloway and a run-scoring passed ball. Calloway’s sacrifice fly was the ninth of his career, setting a program record. He had been tied at eight with Brian Murphy (2001-04). Jakubowski paced the Raptors’ 15-hit attack, going 4-for-5 with one run and one RBI. Midili, Calloway, Faragasso and Turekian each added two hits. Haverford managed only four hits off the combination of Raptor junior starter Jason Ronca (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional) and freshman reliever Damian Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville). Ronca (1-0) worked five innings, allowing all four hits, three earned runs and three walks, while striking out seven. Wright, in only his second collegiate appearance, was brilliant in picking up his first save. He retired all 12 batters he faced, striking out five, including the last man on a swinging third strike. The Raptors took advantage of five errors and six walks and plated five unearned runs on their way to an 8-4 victory over Franklin and Marshall College in a game played on a cold, windy day with occasional snow flurries. The Diplomats’ senior ace Ted Serro was victimized by his infield defense in the first inning when Rutgers-Camden scored four runs on two hits, two walks and a huge error on what should have been a double play ball. Jakubowski opened the big frame with a single and Calloway drew a one-out walk. Junior designated hitter Butch Amato (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI) followed with a tailor-made double play ball, but a Franklin and Marshall error prevented any outs from being recorded as Jakubowski scored the first run of the game. After a walk to junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), the Raptors cleared the bases on a double down the right field line by second baseman Faragasso. Rutgers-Camden added an unearned run in the fourth inning when Turekian reached on a leadoff error and eventually scored on consecutive wild pitches. With the Raptors leading, 5-0, Franklin and Marshall mounted a rally of its own with a four-run fifth inning, aided by three unearned runs. The frame started when sophomore second baseman Rob Stern reached on an infield error. One out later, the Diplomats collected consecutive singles by sophomore first baseman Patrick O’Reilly, senior third baseman Gary Kruger, senior left fielder Corey Caruthers and senior designated hitter Jon Compitello. Kruger and Caruthers each collected one RBI. Franklin and Marshall senior center fielder Eric Milavsky plated the third run when he reached on a fielder’s choice, and the Diplomats added their fourth run on a single by senior catcher Stephen Frederick. Rutgers-Camden put the game away with three unearned runs in the sixth inning, aided by one hit, three walks and two errors. Junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) had the lone hit in the frame. Senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), who was playing in his 100th game at Rutgers-Camden, collected one RBI on a fielder’s choice which, coupled with an error, ended up plating two runs. The other run scored on a bases-loaded walk to Calloway. Rutgers-Camden senior Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) raised his record to 2-0, working five innings and scattering seven hits and two walks. He allowed four runs (one earned) and struck out four as he passed the 100-strikeout milestone for his career. He now has 102. Freshman Pat Faulls (Laurel Springs, NJ/Highland Regional) worked three strong innings in relief of Ford, allowing two walks and only a wind-blown triple, while fanning three. The home winning streak ended March 5 as three SUNY-Brockport pitchers held Rutgers-Camden to five hits and no earned runs and combined for six strikeouts to lead the Golden Eagles over the Scarlet Raptors, 3-2, in a non-conference baseball game here Sunday. SUNY-Brockport senior left fielder Jim Debay went 2-for-3 with two RBIs on the day, collecting RBI singles in the fifth and seventh innings. The Golden Eagles scored their first run in the fourth inning when senior center fielder Sean Davis walked and was sacrificed to second by Debay. He went to third on a single by junior third baseman Anthony Shallo, who went 2-for-4 on the day. Senior designated hitter Jeff Schwegler plated Davis with a double down the left field line. Rutgers-Camden tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when Calloway opened with a single and advanced on an errant pickoff throw by Brockport sophomore starter Rob Maxwell. Calloway was sacrificed to third by Amato and scored on a passed ball. The Golden Eagles took the lead for good in the fifth inning after freshman catcher Mike Dwyer drew a leadoff walk and was erased on a fielder’s choice by senior second baseman Tom Weiner. Weiner stole second and scored on Debay’s single up the middle. Brockport added a run in the seventh on two hits and a walk, with Debay singling home Dwyer. Rutgers-Camden scored its final run in the bottom of the seventh following a leadoff single by Buchter. A walk and a hit batsman loaded the bases with one out when Inkster hit a tailor-made double play ball to third base. After getting a force out at third, an errant throw across the diamond allowed Inkster to reach before he was caught in a rundown and tagged for the third out, but not before Buchter scooted home with the Raptors’ second run. Maxwell worked four innings of three-hit ball for the Golden Eagles, walking one, striking out two and allowing one unearned run. Junior Sean Rowland picked up the win in relief, working 2.1 innings, allowing one hit, two walks and one unearned run. He struck out two. Brockport junior Jack Dennstedt collected the save with 2.2 innings of one-hit, shutout ball. He struck out two. For the Scarlet Raptors, sophomore southpaw Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) took the loss to drop to 0-2. He worked six innings, allowing six hits, three walks and three earned runs. He struck out five. Calloway went 2-for-4 with one run for Rutgers-Camden as he maintained his red-hot start to the season. He is hitting .500 (10-for-20) with seven runs and five RBIs in the first five games. With 10 hits on the season, Calloway has raised his career total to 147, tying Tom Cusano (1991-94) for fourth place on the program’s all-time list. Ahead of him is Jamie Schwantes (1994-97) in third place with 166. Brian Murphy holds the program record with 208. SOFTBALL (4-0 overall/0-0 NJAC) March Fri. 3 Rutgers-Camden 1, Wilkes University (PA) 0 UPCOMING SCHEDULE: at Sun West Tournament (at Chapman University, Orange, CA) All times Pacific Mon. 13 vs. Fontbonne University (MO) 10:45 a.m. The Rutgers University-Camden softball team lived up to its lofty pre-season billing with an impressive showing at the Atlantic Vs. East Tournament. The Raptors, ranked ninth in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association pre-season Div. III national poll, posted a 1-0 victory over Wilkes University and a 10-2 win against Eastern Mennonite University in opening-day action March 3. They defeated Guilford College of Greensboro, North Carolina, 7-3, March 4. They followed that win with a thrilling eight-inning 1-0 victory over pre-season No. 17 Moravian College behind the four-hit shutout pitching of senior All-American Michelle Schlichtig (Barrington, NJ/Haddon Heights). Schlichtig, who raised her program career records to 25 shutouts and 52 wins, tossed a pair of 1-0 shutouts in the two-day event held Friday and Saturday, allowing a total of six hits and striking out 18 in 15 innings. In Saturday’s opening game, the Raptors scored a single run in the second inning. Junior third baseman Alaina Giles (Willingboro, NJ/Holy Cross) drew a one-out walk, advanced on a single by sophomore first baseman Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) and scored on a single by freshman center fielder Marissa Van Cleef (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough). The Raptors added three runs on five hits in the fourth inning, sparked by singles from Dreitlein and sophomore left fielder Amber Parker (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken). Sophomore second baseman Jayme Feriod (Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) singled home one run, Schlichtig hit a run-scoring double and junior catcher Mo Baney (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) singled home another run. The Raptors wrapped up their scoring in a three-run sixth, sparked by a sacrifice fly from Baney and RBI singles from junior designated player Megan Farrell (Medford, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) and junior right fielder Autumn Millett (Richwood, NJ/Clearview Regional). Guilford collected three runs on a pair of walks, an error and a single in the sixth inning. For the game, Van Cleef went 3-for-4 with one run, one RBI and a stolen base, while Feriod was 3-for-5 with two runs, one RBI and a stolen base. Farrell and Dreitlein each had two hits and Baney collected a pair of RBIs. The nightcap was a pitchers’ duel between Schlichtig and Moravian senior Meagan Hennessey. Schlichtig hurled a four-hit shutout with no walks and nine strikeouts in the eight-inning game, while Hennessy allowed two hits and two walks, while striking out seven in 7-2/3 innings. The Raptors scored the game’s lone run in the bottom of the eighth after starting the frame with Giles at second base on the international tie-breaker rule. Dreitlein sacrificed Giles to third and one out later, Van Cleef delivered a game-winning single. On Friday, Schlichtig allowed four walks and a pair of singles in her shutout over Wilkes. She hurled no-hit ball until two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning when freshman catcher Erin Plank singled. The Raptors, meanwhile, weren’t mounting any offense either against Wilkes junior righty Laurie Agresti. Agresti worked 6-2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two walks, while striking out 15. The only run she allowed was unearned, coming in the seventh after Baney led off the inning by reaching on a two-base error in right field. Two outs later, freshman left fielder Heather Taylor (Clementon, NJ/Overbrook) was hit by a pitch and Dreitlein had a bunt single to load the bases. Feriod followed with an infield single to the shortstop hole, plating the winning run. In the nightcap, the Raptors took the lead for good with a three-run rally in the top of the first inning. Baney doubled home the first run and Giles added a two-run single in the frame. Baney had a pair of doubles and two singles in the nightcap, while Feriod went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs. Giles went 2-for-3 with one run and two RBIs. Sophomore pitcher Therese Taraschi (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) collected the win and Farrell added a three-inning save in the pre-determined pitching split. They combined for five hits, four walks and four strikeouts. In the four-game tournament, Feriod and Baney each went 6-for-14 (.429), while Dreitlein hit ..375 (3-for-8) and Van Cleef hit .333 (5-for-15). Parker, in four at bats, hit .500 (2-for-4). Baney’s six hits raised her career total to 95, putting her on the verge of becoming only the fifth player in program history to reach 100 hits. INDOOR TRACK March 3-4 ECAC Championships @ Ursinus College Men: 1. New Jersey City University, 96; 2. College of New Jersey, 67; 3. Lincoln University, 62; 4. SUNY-Brockport, 44; 5. St. Lawrence University, 43; 6. SUNY-Plattsburg, 38; 7. Eastern Connecticut State University, 31; 8. Salem State College, 29; 9.(tie) Dickinson College and SUNY-Farmingdale, 26; 11. Frostburg State University, 24; 12. University of Southern Maine, 22; 12. Worcester State College, 22; 14. Ithaca College, 19; 15. Muhlenberg College, 18; 16.(tie) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Rowan University, 16; 18. United States Merchant Marine, 15; 19.(tie) Richard Stockton College and University of Rochester, 14; 21.(tie) Montclair State University, Alfred University, SUNY-Oswego and Oneonta State, 11; 25.(tie) Cabrini College, Nazareth College and Widener University, 10; 28.(tie) Franklin & Marshall College, Ursinus College and Hamilton College, 9; 31.(tie) Bowdoin College and York College, 8; 33.(tie) Lebanon Valley College, DeSales University and Kean University, 7; 36. Union College, 5; 37. Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 4; 38. Westminster College, 3; 39.(tie) Rutgers University-Camden, Johns Hopkins University and Ramapo College, 2; 42.(tie) Fitchburg State College, Stevens Institute of Technology and College Misericordia, 1. Women: 1. Oneonta State University, 101.50; 2. SUNY-Brockport, 77; 3. Lincoln University, 76; 4. College of New Jersey, 73.50; 5. Dickinson College, 62; 6. University of Southern Maine, 51; 7. University of Rochester, 38; 8.(tie) St. Lawrence University and Ithaca College, 38; 10. Richard Stockton College, 24; 11. New Jersey City University, 22; 12. Penn State, 19; 12. Cabrini College, 19; 14.(tie) Frostburg State and SUNY-Plattsburg, 16; 16.(tie) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Washington & Jefferson College, 15; 18. Muhlenberg College, 14; 19.(tie) Widener University and Worcester State College, 13; 21. Gettysburg College, 10; 22. Hamilton College, 8; 23.(tie) Medgar Evers College, Nazareth College, Bowdoin College, Union College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Westminster College, 6; 29.(tie) Ursinus College, Rowan University and Franklin & Marshall College, 5; 32.(tie) College Misericordia and Lehman College, 4; 34. Kean University, 3; 35. Johns Hopkins University, 2; 36.(tie) York College, McDaniel College and SUNY-Oswego, 1. Did not score: Rutgers University-Camden The Scarlet Raptors sent a pair of athletes to the ECAC Championships in their maiden indoor season, as senior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) competed in the long jump March 3 and freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) competed in the 800 meters on March 4 at Ursinus College. Rutgers University-Camden freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) lowered his own program record in the 800-meter run and finished seventh in a time of 1:57.46 at the ECAC Track and Field Indoor Championships March 4 at Ursinus College. Salamon, who scored the Scarlet Raptors’ only two points in the ECAC Championships with his performance, lowered his old mark of 1:57.53, which was set during his third-place finish at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships Feb. 19. That time at the conference meet earned Salamon NJAC Honorable Mention at 800 meters. During his four indoor meets this season, the Rutgers-Camden freshman set a program record at 800 meters his first time out and lowered the mark in each subsequent meet. He also set the program’s record in the mile (4:33.90) and as the anchor on the 4x800-meter relay team (8:30.13) this season. Rutgers-Camden’s men tied for 39th place in the ECAC meet with two points, matching the team scores of Johns Hopkins University and Ramapo College. A total of 44 schools scored points in the men’s competition, which was won by New Jersey City University (96 points). In the women’s competition, 38 teams scored points in a meet won by Oneonta (101.50). Rutgers-Camden, which didn’t score a point, had one competitor in senior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown). Zimmitt finished ninth out of 16 competitors in the long jump competition March 3 with a leap of 16-5. It was only her second meet of the indoor season. Zimmitt, who earned her fourth letter as a member of the Lady Raptors’ women’s basketball team this winter, didn’t compete for the indoor track team until Feb. 19, when she scored seven points for her team at the NJAC Championships. She finished fourth at the NJAC meet in the long jump with a program indoor-record 16-10.75, fifth at 55 meters (7.67) and sixth in the triple jump (32-9.75). |
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