CNBNews

Pictured holding 2023 National Championship Trophy Defending National Champions, L-R Coach Greg Chew, Head Coach Rob Valli and Gloucester City Grad Coach Austin Darrow

DEPTFORD, NJ (May 28, 2024)(CNBNews)--Rowan College of South Jersey, located in Deptford, will enter the Junior College World Series Championship game in Auburn, NY, as the only unbeaten team left. Rowan will face the winner of the Dallas College Eastfield—Dallas College Richland game. The winner of this game will need to beat RCSJ twice to defeat the defending National Junior College Champions.

RCSJ needed to win three games on Sunday, May 19, on their home field to win the Region 19 Championship and advance to the World Series. Two of those wins were against #3 Nationally Ranked Northampton from Pennsylvania. The Roadrunners responded to the challenge to win their 26th Regional 19 Title.

In Region 19 Championship play, former Gloucester Catholic standout RJ Mastaro from Westville was instrumental in the victory, scoring 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk in the clincher.

The first round of the Juco World Series matched #1 RCGC against #8 seed Northern Essex. Northern Essex started pitcher Jayden Voelker one of the top pitchers in the Country. Voelker lived up to his reputation as he shut down the Roadrunners through 6 innings before Mustaro crossed the plate on a triple by Gavin Dugan (Donovan Catholic), giving the Runners the only run needed in the win. But the star was Runners pitcher Tim Hartman (Rancocas Valley) facing only Northern Essex 29 batters. Giving up 2 hits, no runs, and 2 walks in the 4-0 win.

In game two of the winner's bracket, the Runners faced a common World Series opponent: #5 Herkimer College. Gavin Dugan (Donovan Catholic) and Caden Dulin (Williamstown) each chipped in 2 hits, and RJ Mustaro scored 6 runners. Winning Pitcher Dan Kerr (Bishop Eustace) continued the Runners' shutdown pitching, allowing 0 runs in a game of 5 innings and winning 10 - 0.

Game 3 Runners pitcher Thomas Goldberg from (Kingsway HS) gave up 2 first-inning runs to #2 Dallas College of Richland. After his first innings struggles, Goldberg retired the next 19 batters in a row, allowing the offense to click. Juan Peralta (Passaic) and Caden Dulin (West New York) had  3 hits and scored 4 runs in the 8 - 2 win.

With the win, the Roadrunners remained the only unbeaten team and advanced to the Wednesday Night's Championship game against the loser bracket winner between Dallas College Eastfield and Dallas College Richland. RCSJ needs to lose two games to be eliminated.