Coach Rob Valli's Roadrunner baseball team bounced back from a close loss last week to sweep a doubleheader over visiting Atlantic Cape Sunday by scores of 12-3 and 9-5.
The Runners entered the doubleheader following a close 7-6 loss to Mercer County the previous Thursday.
But the host squad quickly got back to their winning ways.
Isaias Guzman stroked three hits and knocked in two runs to lift the Runners to a 9-5 triumph in Game 2 and a sweep of the home doubleheaders vs. the Buccaneers.
Second baseman Jose Correa collected two hits and four RBIs, while teammates Jim White, Tom Gibson and Dauri Genao knocked in two runs each as the Runners rolled to a 12-3 Game 1 triumph.
Jacob Addis scattered three hits and struck out four over five innings to gain the win.
The Runners finished the afternoon with a 3-1 overall record and were scheduled to play Atlantic Cape on the road on Monday.
Game Day Preview
The Baseball Home Opener vs. Atlantic Cape will be played on Sunday, March 8 vs. Atlantic Cape. First pitch is 12 noon.
Coach Rob Valli's Roadrunners come into the game with a 1-1 record with a win vs. D-II Delaware Tech and a close loss to D-II Mercer County.
See season Preview below.
2020 Season Preview
Head Coach: Rob Valli; 10th season at RCSJ-Gloucester; 443-116 record at GCC/RCGC; former head coach at Temple University; career record of 555-322.
Assistant Coaches: Greg Chew (pitching coach), Chris Rollins (assistant coach).
Last Season: 42-11 overall; No. 2 nationally, NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
2020 Outlook: Preseason No. 1 in all national rankings; Region XIX and GSAC preseason favorites.
Opener: Saturday, February 29, at Delaware Tech, 1 pm.
Top returnees: Jack Billings, So., RHP/3B, St. Augustine Prep/Virginia Tech; Jose Correa, So., SS/2B, LEAP Academy; Erick Duran, So., RHP, Passaic; Dauri Genao, So., INF, High Tech; Ryan Gray, So., C, Pennsville; Joe Marino, So., LHP, St. Joe's Hammonton; Lorenzo Morello, So., OF, Washington Twp.; Connor Van Dine, Fr., INF, Kings Christian.
Additional second-year players: Liam Anderson, So., OF, Cherry Hill West; Angel Cespedes, So., RHP, Passaic/Howard JC; Cole Chesnet, So., C, Archbishop Carroll; John Cristino, So., C, Haddonfield; GianCarlo Palmieri, So., IF, Hammonton; Mitchell Peers, So., OF, Boyertown (PA); Rich Racabaldo, So., RHP, Washington Twp.; Marcus Eusebio, So., RHP, Passaic/U. Tennessee Martin; Dan Frake, So., RHP, Shawnee/Salisbury U.; Aryed Garcia, So., RHP, Paterson/Bergen CC; Tommy Gibson, So., SS, Williamstown/Penn State; Isaias Guzman, So., 3B, Passaic Tech/Post U.; Adam Holland, So., OF, William Penn Charter/Rutgers U.; Edinson Sanchez, So., RHP, Passaic/Monroe College.
Newcomers: Jacob Addis, Fr., RHP, Williamstown; Starlyn Arias, Fr., OF, Bayonne; Roberto Bonifacio, Fr., 3B, Pennsauken; Radelvis Paulino, Fr., RHP, Rahway; Shawn Dougherty, Fr., OF, Clearview; Mike Guzzardo, So., 1B, Bishop Eustace/Campbell U.; Nick Nocella, Fr., 1B, Gloucester Catholic/PSU Abington; Ron Silvestro, Fr., Eastern/Kutztown U.; Jim White, Fr., INF, Cardinal O'Hara.
Season Outlook: The Runners begin the season as the No. 1 team in all preseason polls. Valli's team is loaded in every part of his lineup, both offensively and defensively. Sophomore Jack Billings will be a key contributor throughout the season both on the mound and with his timely hitting. The starting rotation is loaded with some of the top talent in the country, and Valli will also rely on a top group of middle relievers and closers.
Offensively, the lineup will be strong with veterans Billings, Dauri Genao, Jose Correa, and All-American Lorenzo Morello (.411 BA/48 RBIs/11 stolen bases) leading the way and complemented by a strong group of freshmen sluggers.
Coach Rob Valli on his 2020 Roadrunners: "Our strength is the depth we have at each position. This pitching staff might eventually produce 6 or 7 future professional pitchers; 7 of them have shown impressive fastballs 90-95 every time out. We feel good about our ability to score runs in different ways. There is a lot of athleticism among an aggressive group of hitters; they afford us the ability to platoon and create advantageous matchups."
