EDISON, NJ - The NCC Baseball team split a doubleheader on Wednesday with Region leader Middlesex County College, taking game one 4-2 and falling in the nightcap, 7-4.

In game one, NCC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning as Joey Bamford singled with bases loaded, scoring Billy Turner and Kyle Dauscher and advancing Elliot Freeman to third.  Richie Eilenberger (2 for 3) then singled, scoring Freeman.

Middlesex scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd off a two-run double from Matt Horican to make the score 3-2.

The Spartans added an insurance run in the 4th as Freeman singled, Eilenberger walked and Christian Joest (2 for 3) singled to score Freeman, making the count 4-2.

NCC hurler Jake Ruch (3-2) earned the complete game victory, allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 6.

Yoshinori Machida (6-2) took the loss for Middlesex.

In game two, Middlesex took advantage of a Spartan error with two outs in the 2nd inning to score 4 runs, including a two-run homerun by Bruce Monro, giving the Colts a 4-0 lead.

NCC got a run on the board in the 3rd as Mike Tenaglia (3 for 4) singled home Eilenberger, cutting the margin to 4-1.

The Colts used another Spartan error in the 4th inning to propel them to a big inning, scoring 3 runs to take a 7-1 lead and chase starter Mike Ciavarella (3 1/3 innings, 7 hits, 7 runs, 5 earned, 2 BB, 1 K).

NCC got a run in the 6th as Greg Garcia singled to right field, scoring Eric Bohem (2 for 4), making the score 7-2.

The Spartans added 2 runs in the top of the 7th, but Middlesex starter Matt Cesare was able to get out of trouble and earn the 7-4 victory, improving to 6-0 on the year.

NCC is now 20-8 overall and 10-4 in Region XIX.

Middlesex is 20-7 overall and 12-2 in Region XIX.

The Spartans return to action on Saturday when they travel to defending national champion Gloucester County College.