Baseball completes sweep of Brookdale, win 13-9

VINELAND - There were runs aplenty for the Dukes as they defeated Brookdale Jersey Blues 13-9. 

RCSJ-Cumberland opened the scoring in the bottom of the first thanks to two singles when Rob LaGuarina singled, scoring one run.  The Dukes then flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the second, scoring five runs on three hits to take the lead, 7-4. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Tyler Schoppe that drove in two.

RCSJ-Cumberland added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Kory Jenkins was struck by a pitch, LaGuarina walked, Schoppe tallied an RBI groundout, and Lou Hanna singled to center field, each scoring one run.

Brookdale Jersey Blues scored two runs in the top of the fifth on a home run to right field by Gabriel Tomei following a 6-pitch at-bat.

Ryan Beebe earned the win for RCSJ-Cumberland. The starter allowed nine hits and six runs (two earned) over six and one-third innings, striking out six and walking two. Joey Gallagher tossed one inning of shutout ball for the Dukes in relief. The reliever gave up one hit, striking out none and walking none.

RCSJ-Cumberland collected 10 hits in the game. Cole Shover and Schoppe each collected two hits for the Dukes. LaGuarina and Schoppe were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in three runs. Angel Rodriguez added three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying 10 walks for the game. Rodriguez and Jenkins each stole multiple bases for Cumberland with the team adding to their high season total with five more stolen bases in the game.

RCSJ-Cumberland plays at home on Friday against Atlantic Cape Community College in their next game, first pitch scheduled for 3:30 PM.