Camden, NJ: The Ramapo College baseball team sent 15 batters to the plate and exploded for nine runs in the third inning as it defeated Rutgers University-Camden, 15-7, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Thursday. The victory lifts the Roadrunners to 17-15 overall and 7-8 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Camden falls to 9-23 overall and 4-11 in the conference.

Rutgers-Camden had just finished batting around and scoring five runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 5-1 lead, when the Roadrunners answered quickly and decisively. The frame started harmlessly enough with a walk to senior center fielder Mike Manges (Glen Rock, NJ/Paramus Catholic) and a one-out single by freshman right fielder Joseph Della Serra (Cranford, NJ/Cranford). After a strikeout, the Roadrunners had runners at first and second with two outs when Ramapo exploded. The next 10 Roadrunners reached base, starting with a two-run double to right by junior first baseman Peter Sita (Bayonne, NJ/Hudson Catholic). A walk and a hit batsman set the stage for a two-run single from senior catcher Tim Gaven (Union, NJ/Union), tying the game at 5-5. A passed ball plated the go-ahead run and another hit batsman added to the rally. An infield error scored Gavin, a wild pitch scored another run and Ramapo added four straight walks. The final two walks, to freshman pinch-hitter Daniel Mauriello (Monroe, NY/Monroe Woodburry) and Sita forced home two more runs. The Roadrunners added five more runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Mauriello.

For the game, Ramapo collected 11 hits, but was aided by eight walks, six hit batsmen against seven Rutgers-Camden hurlers. The Raptors also committed two errors. Seven of Ramapo's runs were put on base by walks or hit batsmen and another reached on an error.

For the game, Mauriello went 2-for-3 with one run and four RBIs, while Gaven went 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs. Sophomore shortstop Rob Dimperio (Jackson, NJ/Jackson) went 2-for-4 with two runs, senior designated hitter David Deredita (Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) was 1-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs and Sita went 1-for-4 with one run and three RBIs.

Sophomore righty Gustavo Duran (Newark, NJ/George Washington), the second of four Ramapo pitchers, collected the win to even his record at 1-1. He worked five innings of four-hit ball, allowing three walks and one earned run. He struck out eight.

Rutgers-Camden erased an early one-run deficit with five runs in the second before Ramapo came storming back. The Raptors' big inning featured a two-run triple by junior first baseman Dan Stuhlemmer (Collingswood, NJ/Camden Catholic), an RBI single by sophomore left fielder Dennis Hill (Pilesgrove, NJ/Woodstown), a run-scoring double by junior center fielder Scott Fruits (Turnersville, NJ/Paul VI) and a sacrifice fly from senior second baseman Dean Straga (Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Regional).

For the game, junior catcher Greg Hunt (Marlton, NJ/St. Joseph-Hammonton) went 3-for-5 with one run for the Raptors. Stuhlemmer was 1-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Senior southpaw Damien Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville) took the loss, working 2-2/3 innings and allowing four hits and nine runs, five earned. Wright (1-3) walked three and struck out five. He moved into fourth place on the career strikeout list with 171 and into fifth on the all-time charts for innings pitched with 183-1/3.

Both teams return to NJAC action Friday at 3:30 p.m. Ramapo hosts The College of New Jersey, while Rutgers-Camden travels to Rowan.