Lancers Strike Out Montclair

Sean Rucker knew he would have big shoes to fill coming into the 2010 season.

With the departures of Andrew Webster, Joe Grande, Matt Larangera, and Mike Genovese — who now starts for Seton Hall University — it was Rucker's turn to step into the spotlight and become a premier pitcher for the Livingston Lancers. 

On Monday, Rucker arose to the occasion and had a masterful performance and struck out ten batters through six innings.  He earned the win and the Lancers defeated Montclair 9-7.

"I felt good today," Rucker said.  "I was able to change speeds effectively and keep the Montclair hitters off balance."

Montclair senior Eli Kashi lined Rucker's first pitch of the game into left field for a single.  Rucker then induced a 1-6-3 double play and ended the inning when Vincent Citro, who will attend Siena College in the fall, grounded to Brian Drapeau, Livingston's junior first baseman.

Livingston came up in the bottom of the first inning and gave Rucker some support, scoring three runs off three hits.  Senior Jimmy Napolitano had an RBI triple to left field and senior John Beaubien had an RBI double.

"It was great that the guys scored early," Rucker continued.  

Montclair started to chip away and they scored a run off an error by Livingston second baseman Mike Mansfield.  They then scored three more in the third. Montclair senior Avery Attinson hit a towering two-run homer to left field, which scored Citro.

But Livingston immediately struck right back as Frank Schwindel, who's bound for St. John's College, hit a triple that scored Nick Kozlowsky and Jimmy Napolitano. 

Livingston led 5-4 after three innings.

From the third inning on, Rucker got nine out of the thirteen Montclair hitters out and only allowed one to reach second base.  Livingston's offense was shut down in the fourth but scored three more in the fifth led by a Schwindel triple and then a home run by John Beaubien, also a senior.   

But the Lancers were not done and they tacked on one more as Mike Mansfield hit a triple and junior centerfielder John Sorrentino hit a screaming double in the left field gap.

The pesky Mounties had one last chance in the seventh and they put together a two run rally.  But Jim Napolitano was able to close the game out.

"I saw the ball well today and was able to get two solid hits," Schwindel said. "We continue to hit the ball and our pitching improves each game and that is all we can ask for."

Livingston is currently averaging 14 runs per game, which is the best in Essex County.  The Lancers next game is Friday against Newark East Side, when they look to continue their winning ways.

"Every game is a challenge in our new conference so we have to take it one game at a time," Livingston head coach Scott Schroeder concluded.