5/17/14

West Windsor, NJ -

Mercer baseball (39-6) advanced to the NJCAA Division II World Series for the first time since 2003, following a 3-2 win over Cecil, MD in the Northeast District Championship in Game 2 of the best of 3 series.  Freshman catcher Greg Santora (Southampton, NJ/Seneca) had a 2 run home run in the top of the second inning to tie the game early 2-2.  Sophomore pitcher Ben Stine (Lebanon, NJ/North Hunterdon) had 5 strikeouts in 7 innings of work.  Sophomore pitcher Charles Morreale (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) came in relief in the bottom of the 8th inning and got out of bases loaded, no out jam, to keep the game tied.  In the top of the ninth inning, an errant throw on a fielders choice scored sophomore Heath Fillmyer (Roebling, NJ/Florence Twp.) for the go ahead run.  Morreale threw another shutout inning to give the Vikings the District Championship win and a trip to Enid, Oklahoma for the World Series.