Lions Vanquish Skylanders in 3 Game Conference Sweep

Branchburg, NJ – This past week the Raritan Valley Lions engaged in Region XIX Division II Conference play with the Sussex County Skylanders. RVCC emerged victorious in all three games sweeping Sussex County and advancing to a 4-2 record in conference play and 10-3 overall, the school's best start of the 21st century. They won the first game 9-7, the second 8-7 and the final game 6-3, all in comeback fashion.

Freshman Nick Bentz got the start in the first game. The righty gave up six runs, one earned, in the first inning, but settled in after that. Bentz went 6.1 innings giving up seven hits and walked four. The Lions chipped away in the third and fourth innings, scoring one run in each. RVCC tied the game in the bottom of the fifth by scoring 4 runs. Sophomore Mike Izzo doubled in a run, and Freshman Dovid Solomon had the game tying hit. Sussex would score again in the top of the sixth, but their lead didn't last long. The next half inning the Lions would turn up the heat with two hits by Mike Izzo and freshman Tyler Giordano. The tying run would be balked in, and on the next pitch freshman Logan Escamilla would hit a scorcher up the middle driving in the game winning run. Freshman Dovid Solomon would pitch the last 2.2 innings, only allowing one base runner and securing his second save of the season. Tyler Giordano, Mike Izzo, Logan Escamilla, freshman Bryce Pantozzi, sophomore Eric Knapp and Dovid Solomon each collected multiple hits. On defense the Lions turned three double plays.

In the second game, both Raritan Valley and Sussex County had their offences going, but RVCC would eventually prevail. The Lions got on the board first in the second inning as Bryce Pantozzi and Dovid Solomon both drove in one run. The Skylanders would score four runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to take 5-3 lead. Raritan Valley answered back in the sixth when they loaded the bases with two outs. Tyler Giordano would reach on an error by the third baseman which scored two runs. Mike Izzo doubled in another two runs during the next at-bat. Sophomore Dylan Seel earned this third win of the season after pitching into the seventh inning surrendering ten hits and walking three while striking out one.

In the series finale, Sussex came out of the first few innings of the game with a 3-1 lead. In the top of the fourth Bryce Pantozzi singled with two on and one out, driving in a run. Eric Knapp would single loading the bases and Dovid Solomon would bring in the tying run on a sac-fly to deep center field. Eric Knapp provided some insurance in the final inning with an opposite-field single driving in a run giving the Lions a 6-3 lead. Freshman Xavier Arana started for RVCC, going 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Sophomore Chase Moskowitz came in and pitched the final 2.1 innings earning the win.

Series Notables:

So. Parker Muratore (4-12)

So Mike Izzo (5-11 5RBI)

Fr Logan Escamilla (5-11 2RBI)

Fr Bryce Pantozzi (4-13 2RBI)

So Eric Knapp (5-11 4RBI)

Fr Dovid Solomon (4-11 4RBI)