MIDDLESEX COLLEGE HONORS HALL OF FAME COACH MIKE LEPORE, KNOCKS OFF RARITAN VALLEY 8-0

Joshua Horowitz struck out 12 batters over eight shutout innings and Joshua Rodriguez had a big day at the plate as Middlesex College topped Raritan Valley CC 8-0.

The win improved the Colts record to 28-17 with one three-game series left to play in the regular season.

Prior to the game, Middlesex College held a ceremony to hang a banner in the outfield for former Head Coach Mike Lepore Sr., who was an iconic coach at Middlesex College and on the high school level prior to his time with the Colts. Middlesex had retired his jersey #1 upon his retirement from coaching in 2013, which was recognized with a plaque in the Physical Education Center. Now a banner will hang on the baseball field as well for Lepore, who won 350 games at Middlesex and 291 on the high school level.

Against Raritan Valley, Middlesex carried a 3-0 lead into the fifth and went on to break the game open from there. The Colts scored two in the fifth and three more in the sixth on their way to an 8-0 win.

Horowitz pitched the first six innings and allowed just six hits. It was his second double-digit strikeout performance on the season and the righty lifted his record to 5-2.

Rodriguez went 3-5 with two triples, three runs and an RBI to lead the way for the Colts offense. 

Riquelby Madera (Freshman/Paterson, NJ) and Jake Graci (Freshman/Kendall Park, NJ) each had two hits for Middlesex as well.

Middlesex will face off against Bergen CC in a three-game series on Friday and Saturday to close out their regular season. A series win against Bergen would boost Middlesex to the 30-win plateau for the fourth straight season. Middlesex has already clinched a spot in the NJCAA Region 19 Tournament and depending on the outcome of other games this weekend, the Colts could be seeded anywhere from 4-7 in the tournament, which will start next week.