BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The nationally-ranked NCC Baseball team overcame near freezing temperatures and over a week off to open Region XIX play with a sweep of Cumberland County College on Sunday afternoon.

In game one Elliott Freeman singled home Ryan Mickley with the winning run in the bottom of the 7th as NCC prevailed, 3-2.

Joey Bamford (3 for 3, 1 RBI) scored the tying run on a wild pitch in the bottom of 6th.  Bamford singled and advanced to third on a single from Christian Joest (2 for 3), before scoring the tying run.

Prior to the 7th inning, Head Coach Adrian Yaguez replaced starting pitcher Mike Ciavarella (6 IP, 6 H, 4 K, 1 BB, 2 ER), with Anthony Casciano, who responded by throwing one inning of scoreless relief, striking out 2, setting the stage for Freeman's heroics.

Mickley walked with one out, then stole second before Freeman laced his game-winning single up the middle.

In game two, Jake Ruch threw a 2-hit, complete game shutout, striking out 7 and walking 2 as NCC earned the sweep with a 10-0 victory.

Mike Tenaglia was 3 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI and Richie Eilenberger was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI to lead the Spartan offense, which pounded out 11 hits.

NCC, ranked 7th in the latest NJCAA poll, improved to 11-3 overall and 2-0 in Region XIX.

NCC travels to Montgomery County Community College on April 2nd.