Linzer Goes the Distance, Baase Walks it Off in Lions Sweep

Box Score Box Score
March 16, 2026

Sunday, RVCC hosted Rockland CC for two games, the Lions came up victorious in both. The took Game 1 by a score of 4-1 behind a stellar performance on the mound by Ben Linzer. Linzer threw a complete game, striking out ELEVEN batters. Raritan Valley fought their way to the finish line in Game 2, the score was 14-11. Tommy Baase had his second multi-home run game of the season. His second was a 3-Run walk-off blast in the bottom of the 7th. 

Game 1 was a classic pitchers duel. Ben Linzer was dominant on the bump, as the righty rang up eleven strikeouts. Linzer allowed five hits and one run over his seven innings of work while walking four. 

Freshman Anthony DeNora provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Lions with two runs batted in. Tommy Baase, DeNora, Ben Hernandez and Robby Wright each collected one hit in the game. RVCC didn't commit a single error in the field. 

Game 2 came down to the wire, as Raritan Valley grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion 14-11. The game was tied at 11 in the bottom of the seventh when Tommy Baase hit a 3-Run bomb to left field. Baase hit two home runs in this victory. 

Rockland got on the board first in then top of the first when the dropped a 4 spot in the frame. In the bottom of the second, the Lions went back into the lead after Nick Sellitti singled down the left field line, Anthony DeNora ripped a single to LF, Baase singled and Jesse Lance hit a Sac-Fly, each scoring one run. In RV's turn to bat in the fourth Baase homered to left field driving in two. 

The Lions bullpen let the lead go in the top of the sixth allowing five runs making the score 11-8 Rockland. Raritan Valley responded right back in the bottom of the frame thanks to a single by Jesse Lance, and a steal of home by Miky Tavarez on a first-and-third play. 

Teddy Garcia earned his second win of the year in relief. He gave up one hit and no runs in his inning of work. Freshman Kevin Pepe started the game going 5.1IP, he gave up eight hits and eleven runs (four earned) striking out six and walking three. Ethan Flynn and Anthony Claudino each appeared in relief in Game 2. 

With these wins the Lions improve to 9-2 on the season and sit in second place in Region XIX. They have won four games in a row. Mondays away games at Bergen CC has been rained out, a make-up date has yet to be announced. The Lions will return to the field this weekend as they travel to Scranton, PA on Friday to face Lackawanna College in Region XIX conference play. Lackawanna will travel to RVCC on Saturday for the last two games of that series.