Knights Blank Rangers Behind Strong Pitching

Box Score
MADISON, N.J. (March 22, 2011) - The Rangers dropped their fourth-straight game in a non-conference tilt against Arcadia (1-11) on Doc Young field this afternoon. Knight starting pitcher Marc Gottfried hurled a complete game shutout and struck out seven batters en route to the 9-0 victory.

Drew (5-9) managed only six hits off the junior right hander who didn't issue a walk in nine innings of work. Gottfried not only hurt the Rangers on the mound but helped his own cause by going 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and two runs scored from the leadoff spot.

The Knights got to work early, scoring a run in the top of the second on an RBI single by Mike McElhatton and again in the top of the third thanks to an RBI ground out by Patrick Kwiatkowski to build a 2-0 lead. In the top of the fifth inning the Knights finally got to Drew starter Steve Rosone (Little Silver, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) and posted six runs on five hits in the top of the fifth. Rosone was on the hook for four of the nine Arcadia runs while three more were charged to reliever Cody Cummings (Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Academy).

The back-end of the Ranger bullpen provided 4.2 innings of solid relief allowing only two runs and striking out a total of eight batters. Dan Blum (Cambridge, Mass./Prospect Hill Academy) had a career-high seven strikeouts over 3.2 innings of work. The senior gave up only two hits and an unearned run in his fourth appearance of the spring. Pat Rock (Cranston, R.I./Providence Country Day) came on to pitch a scoreless ninth inning, recording his 11th strikeout in 14 innings of work this season.

Freshman Benny Lyman (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) was the only Ranger with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 on the day including a double down the left field line in the seventh inning. For the Knights, catcher Jerry Smith racked up three hits and scored two runs while first baseman Jay Zehring matched Gottfried with a two-RBI day.

The Rangers hope to be back on the field tomorrow for more non-conference action as they welcome St. Joseph's College to Doc Young Field. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 PM. With inclement weather in the forecast, check for updates on DrewRangers.com for the latest.