One swing of the bat proved just enough to break up a brilliant pitching dual and separate two of the top teams in the country.

Region XIX and Garden State Conference rival Cumberland County College, No. 2 in the NJCAA Division III National Rankings, paid a visit Friday to RCGC, outlasting the No. 3 Roadrunners, 1-0, in a nine-inning thriller.

The loss snapped RCGC's 14-game win streak as they dropped to 14-2 overall.  The Dukes are now 21-2 overall.

Dukes' designated hitter Nicholas Milhan broke the scoring drought by launching a solo line drive blast 350 feet over the left centerfield fence to lead off the top of the ninth inning. It gave the Dukes a 1-0 lead and proved to be the game winner.

Perhaps the real heroes, however, were the starters on both sides. Cumberland starter Michael Miles went the distance, allowing just one hit against a potent RCGC lineup. Runners' starter Nick Yoder (Highland Regional) was solid over six innings, scattering six hits in a scoreless stint.

"We know the final score says Cumberland won, but we also know we're right there with them," said frustrated slugger Ryan Murphy following the contest. "We're determined to make sure this is a different outcome the next time we play them."

That rematch will occur at Cumberland on April 23, but for now the Roadrunners must shake off the loss as they prep for a Sunday doubleheader at home against County College of Morris starting at 12 noon.

"We'll be fine," commented Yoder. "There was some great pitching today, but we'll have another chance at turning tis around."