Bears Falter in 11-3 Loss to Rutgers-Camden

CAMDEN, NJ – The St. Joseph's College baseball team managed only four hits and committed seven errors during an 11-3 non-conference decision to Rutgers University Camden on Friday afternoon at Campbell's Field. 

The victory was the fourth straight for the Raptors, who improve to 9-5 overall. The Bears fall to 2-6 with their third straight loss.

Rutgers-Camden collected unearned runs in the first and second innings, while St. Joseph-Brooklyn notched two runs in a wild second inning that included two hits, one error and four walks by Raptor sophomore starter Andrew Hoffman (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West).

Rutgers-Camden took the lead for good with its three-run third inning, which was sparked by Kyle Ballay's (Delran, NJ/Delran) milestone 100th career hit. Senior third baseman Jamie Williams (Vineland, NJ/Delsea Regional) followed Scott Fruits' (Turnersville, NJ/Paul VI) RBI single with a run-scoring single of his own. Fruits scored later in the frame on an error.

The Scarlet Raptors added two runs in the sixth, one in the seventh and three in the eighth, collecting nine hits, seven walks and five hit batsmen in the game. They were also aided by seven Bears errors, which contributed to five unearned runs.

Hoffman worked the first three innings before being relieved by senior Cory Downham (Pitman, NJ/Pitman), who collected the victory with five stellar no-hit shutout innings. After the first batter reached off Downham on an infield error, he retired the next 12 before issuing a leadoff walk in the eighth inning, the only walk he allowed, while striking out six.

Offensively, Fruits was the lone batter in the game with multiple hits, collecting four, surpassing the 100 career hit mark. Junior left fielder Tom Clarke (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) scored three runs for the Raptors, while Fruits, senior right fielder Steve Myers (Millville, NJ/Millville) and sophomore second baseman Jon Hydock (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) all scored a pair of runs.

The Bears collected only four hits, including one by sophomore shortstop Joseph Boccia (Westwood, NJ/Westwood), who drove home a pair of runs with a two-out single in the second inning.  Danny Zaretsky (Brooklyn, NY/Lincoln), Joe Harten (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic), and Kevin Diaz (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) picked up the other base hits for St. Joe's. 

St. Joseph's sophomore starter Kevin Hernandez (Corona, NY/Newtown) took the loss, working five innings and allowing five hits, four walks and seven runs. Only four of the runs were earned. Hernandez (0-2) struck out three.

The Bears return to action Saturday with a 10 a.m. game at Ramapo College. The Scarlet Raptors host Penn State-Abington Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

Courtesy of Rutgers-Camden Sports Information