www.courierpostonline.com

Gloucester County Freeholder-Director Stephen M. Sweeney said he hopes church leaders will present some sort of plan to local government officials about the future uses of the five church properties that will close and potentially be sold.

\”The disturbing thing is Gloucester County is the first or second fastest growing county in the state and the diocese is decreasing services here,\” Sweeney said. \”We\’ve been fighting them for years to get a Catholic high school here. Closing churches is not sending the right message.\”

In Deptford, two churches — St. John Vianney and Most Holy Redeemer — are scheduled to merge with out-of-town parishes.

continue

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame broke a 5-5 tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the Rutgers baseball team, 7-5, in the series opener Friday evening in front of 1,062 fans at Frank Eck Stadium.

Down, 4-2, in the fourth, the Scarlet Knights (8-16, 2-5 BIG EAST) chipped away at the Irish’s (14-9, 5-2 BIG EAST) lead with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, thanks to an RBI single from Dan Betteridge (Sewell, N.J.) and an RBI double from Vic Cegles (Phoenix, Ariz.) to tie it up.

ND’s A.J. Pollock put the Irish back on top with a two-out, solo home run to left field in the seventh.

The Scarlet Knights battled right back, however, against Notre Dame closer Kyle Weiland. SophomoreBrett Garlick (Livingston, N.J.) hit a one-out single to the hole on the left side and stole second to move into scoring position. A groundout to second off the bat of Cegles moved Garlick over to third and the Scarlet Knights tied it up when Garlick came around to score on a Donny Callahan (Sparta, N.J.) bloop single to center field.

Reliever Matt Patterson (Passaic, N.J.)ran into a jam in the eighth with runners on first and second and handed the ball over to closer Jason Downey (Ballston Lake, N.J.). Downey’s first batter, Billy Boockford hit a hard grounder through the hole on the left side just out of the reach of the diving Betteridge at shortstop to score Jeremy Barnes from second base for what proved to be the game-winning run.

Wieland (1-0) then retired the Scarlet Knights in order in the ninth to earn the victory with one run allowed on two hits and a pair of strikeouts in two innings of relief work for the Irish. Patterson (2-1) was tagged with the loss with three runs let up on one hit in 1.1 innings of relief. Junior Matt Giannini (Millington, N.J.) didn’t factor in the decision, despite six solid innings of work on the mound for the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers scored its first two runs with in the third and fourth thanks to RBI singles from Betteridge and Garlick.

RU left a total of 10 runners on base in the contest, stranding Betteridge at third in the fifth inning.

The Scarlet Knights registered 13 hits on the day, including seven combined hits from the bottom third of its order, consisting of Luis Feliz (New Brunswick, N.J.), Garlick and Cegles. Betteridge and Garlick each had three hits to lead the way.

Rutgers and Notre Dame will continue its series tomorrow with a 1:00 p.m. game at Frank Eck Stadium. Sophomore righty Kyle Bradley (Howell, N.J.) will be on the mound for the Scarlet Knights against senior lefty Wade Korpi for the Irish.

 Funeral services were held at Etherington-Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell Street, Gloucester City for Ronnie Letzgus, 67, of Gloucester City who died on March 26, 2008.

He was the beloved husband for 47 years of Ida M. (nee Hagan) and loving father of Barbara J. Letzgus. He is also survived by his dear mother Marie V. (nee Birney), brothers Don (Emma jean) and Lannie (Carol) Letzgus and many dear nieces and nephews.

Ronnie loved spending time with his family and was an avid Eagles fan. He was also a member of Ironworker Local #401 in Philadelphia.

Interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Gloucester City. 

 

The official site of the Borough of Mount Ephraim, the \”Village at the Crossroads.\” has a new look and design. The new site will allow you to access up-to-date information about the Borough and also allow you to navigate special events and services provided by the Borough.

The redesign was completed with the help of volunteers and resulted in no costs to the Borough.

\”We like to specially thank Jeff Vilardo and Bernice Alibrando for the countless hours they volunteered in putting together this state of the art website.

Thank you,

Mayor Wolk, Commissioner Gilmore and Commissioner Greenwald

 /http://www.mountephraim-nj.com/

A link to ClearysNoteBook appears on the site under the heading NEWS
 

Ewing, NJ…The College of New Jersey’s women’s tennis team hosted the Violets of New York University on Friday in TCNJ’s Student Recreation Center. Ranked No. 18 in Division III, TCNJ tallied a 6-3 win over New York University to improve to 9-5 on the year, while NYU drops to 7-4.

Doubles competition
1. Christina Contrafatto/Jackie Shtemberg (TCNJ) def. Holly Smith/Meggie Smith (NYUW), 8-5
2. Stephanie Tu/Jaclyn Manning (NYUW) def. Sarah Roser/Amanda Berg (TCNJ), 8-0
3. Stefanie Haar/Haley Kutner (TCNJ) def. Amanda Freedman/Lisa Mijovic (NYUW), 8-0

Singles competition
1. Jackie Shtemberg (TCNJ) def. Holly Smith (NYUW), 6-3, 6-2
2. Stephanie Tu (NYUW) def. Christina Contrafatto (TCNJ), 6-4, 6-4
3. Meggie Smith (NYUW) def. Amanda Berg (TCNJ), 6-1, 2-6, 10-4
4. Stefanie Haar (TCNJ) def. Jaclyn Manning (NYUW), 6-2, 6-2
5. Haley Kutner (TCNJ) def. Amanda Freedman (NYUW), 6-2, 6-0
6. Sarah Roser (TCNJ) def. Lisa Mijovic (NYUW), 6-0, 6-2

#18 The College of New Jersey 6, New York University 3

Match Notes: New York University 7-4, The College of New Jersey 9-5; National ranking #18
Official: Marvin Hill

The Lions snapped NYU’s six match win streak as they posted the victory over the visiting Violets to post their third straight victory.
TCNJ swept through the doubles to take a 2-1 lead into the singles competition as the Lions’ top tandem of senior Christina Contrafatto (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) and sophomore Jackie Shtemberg (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Ramapo) collected an 8-5 win over NYU’s seniors Holly Smith (Troy, MI) and Meggie Smith (Knoxville, TN). TCNJ’s top pair is now 19-8 on the year and ranked third in the most recent regional poll. Smith and Smith had their five match win streak come to an end on Friday and now stand at 13-5 with an 8-3 dual record with one another.
With her win at first singles over Holly Smith, Shtemberg improves to 20-8 in singles action and with her overall combined career mark standing at 90-26. NYU’s junior Stephanie Tu (Greenvale, NY) posted a win over TCNJ’s Contrafatto at second singles to remain perfect at second singles (6-0). Contrafatto, who is ranked 14th regional in singles play is now 134-51 on her career in both doubles and singles action.
TCNJ returns to action on Saturday, April 5 hosting Salisbury University in a match scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. NYU returns to action next on April 6 hosting Fordham University.

-30-

DONNA SUE McCONNELL

Memorial Services were held for onna Sue McConnell, 49, of Sewell, formerly of Gloucester City, who died March 31.

Donna Sue was kind hearted and loved helping people in need. She loved her family, cooking for others, the shore, camping, and her animals. She was a member of Gloucester High School Class of 1977 and had also been involved with the Trinity Chapel in Knoxville, TN.

She was the beloved daughter of the late Robert W. and Mildred \”Susie\” McConnell and loving mother of Bobbiesue McConnell (Kris Ruffenach). Her dear granddaughter Addison Rae Ruffenach, sisters Dawn Meehan (Joseph), Christine Hagan (Robert), loving companion Chad Leadbeater, his mother Patricia Leadbeater (late Wayne) and many nieces and nephews also survive her.

Friends met at the Etherington-Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell Street, Gloucester City. Interment was held privately at the request of her family.

Center fielder Garrett Mull

Box Score

MAHWAH, NJ – Rowan University scored two runs in the eighth inning to defeat Ramapo College, 4-3 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Thursday.

Ramapo had a 3-2 lead heading into the eighth. Rowan left fielder Frank Hasenauer (sr. Iselin, NJ/John F. Kennedy) was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Center fielder Garrett Mull (jr. Chatsworth, NJ/Lenape) singled to left field plating Hasenauer. Mull stole second and went to third on a passed ball. Second baseman Roland Rodriguez (so. Miami, FL/Miami Killian) brought Mull in with a single to right field.

Rowan improves to 15-6 overall and 2-3 in the conference. Ramapo has an 11-10 record and a 0-4 NJAC mark. Right hander Anthony Cavalier (fr. Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) got the win on the mound. Cavalier (2-0) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs. Right hander Kevin O’Hara (jr. Clayton, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) threw the final two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit for his second save of the season. Righty Dan Mulligan (jr. Wilmington, DE/Concord) took the loss for the Roadrunners. Mulligan (2-1) allowed two earned runs in 1.1 innings.

Mull led the Profs with two hits (four at bats), two runs scored and one RBI. Rodriguez went one for three with one RBI. Third baseman Paul Urbanovich (sr. Rutherford, NJ/St. Peter’s Prep) and catcher Robert Fox (sr. Ocean Twp., NJ/Ocean Twp.) each added one hit (three at bats) and one RBI. First baseman Tom Ready (jr. Blenheim, NJ/Triton Reg.) contributed with one hit in four trips to the plate, a double and one run scored.

For the Roadrunners, shortstop Joey Cacchiola (so. Union, NJ/Union) went three for five with a double. Second baseman David Deredita (jr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) chipped in with one hit (three at bats), two RBIs and one run scored. Designated hitter Ryan Paxton (sr. Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) and catcher John Callandrello (jr. Montville, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) scored one run apiece, while left fielder Mike Manges (jr. Glen Rock, NJ/Paramus Catholic) had one RBI.

Ramapo jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Deredita hit a two run single to left field, scoring Callandrello and Paxton. Rowan cut the deficit to one (2-1) in the fourth. Ready reached base with a double and advanced to third on a fly out. Fox hit a sacrifice fly to center field and Ready came home.

The Profs tied the game at two in the top of the fifth. Mull led off with a single and went to second on an error. He moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and he scored on a sacrifice fly by Urbanovich. The Roadrunner had a 3-2 advantage with one run in the bottom of the seventh. Manges singled in Deredita, who reached base on a walk.

http://www.thewhitonline.com

The point is that Rowan\’s middle infielders have, at least to some extent, struggled this season. Top teams are almost always strong up the middle and the Profs have not been.

Compare Rowan\’s statistics to those of the other top infielders in the NJAC. TCNJ\’s duo of Adam Tussey and Jeff Toth have committed six and eight errors each.

Tussey is batting .449 and Toth has driven in 18 runs. Kean\’s Michael Moceri has eight errors at second, while shortstop Maikel De La Rosa has recorded just two. Moceri is batting over .300 and has stolen ten bases, while De La Rosa is third on the Cougars with a .348 mark. While these middle infield combinations are two of the top in the country and are tough to compare to anybody, they are the kind of competition the Profs are up against in the NJAC. This is the level the Rowan infield needs to strive to reach.

read more

Media Release, April 4

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Incoming Rutgers women\’s basketball freshmen Jasmine Dixon (Long Beach, Calif.), Chelsey Lee (Miami, Fla), Brooklyn Pope (Fort Worth, Texas) and April Sykes (Crawford, Miss.) will participate in the 2008 Women\’s Basketball Coaches Association High School (WBCA) All-America Game on Saturday, April 5 at the Sun Dome in Tampa Bay, Fla.

In total, 20 seniors will participate in the 17^th annual prestigious event presented by Nike. The players will be divided into two teams of ten players. The college-style regulation game tips off at 4:30 p.m.

Rutgers has the most representation on the roster, tied with Tennessee with four players each on the roster.

The four along with future Scarlet Knight Nikki Speed (Pasadena, Calif.) appeared in the McDonald\’s All American game on March 26 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. Speed was chosen an honorable mention on the WBCA All-America team.

The future collegiate players will be available for autographs following the game. The Nike Co-Captains for the event are the WNBA Minnesota Lynx\’s Lindsey Harding and Indiana Fever\’s Tamika Catchings.

COOPERJames T.

On April 3, 2008. Age 65. Of Brooklawn. Predeceased by his loving parents Thomas G. and Katherine Cooper (nee Polimeno). Survived by his loving and devoted cousins; Anna (James) Doherty, Anthony (Maryann) Dogostino, Jacqueline (Francis) Brown, Angelina (Francis) Collins, and Angelo (Maria) DiCicco.

James proudly served during the Vietnam War and was retired from the United States Air Force. He was a long-time member of the Brooklawn American Legion Post #72. James was a faithful and devoted parishioner of St. Maurice R.C. Church in Brooklawn.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Monday evening from 7 to 9 pm and Tuesday morning from 9 to 10 am at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth St. (at Brown St.), Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am at Saint Maurice R.C. Church : 401 Community Rd., Brooklawn.

Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. The family requests memorial donations in James\’ memory to a charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of James T. Cooper. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street , Gloucester City. Phone: 856-456-1142.