BOX SCORE
WAYNE, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The New Jersey City University baseball team cruised through the first seven innings of its New Jersey Athletic Conference game against William Paterson University and led 3-0, before the Pioneers rallied for two runs in the eighth to draw within one, then reeled off two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, aided by an error, to edge NJCU, 4-3, in a dramatic league game on Jeff Albies Field. It was the opening game of a two-day home-and-home series.
WPU improved to 12-7-1 with the win and 2-1 in the league. NJCU (4-16, 0-3 NJAC) lost its fourth in a row. WPU was limited to two hits in the first seven innings before collecting five in the final two frames.
In defeat, junior catcher FRANCISCO RAMIREZ (Jersey City, NJ/Hudson Catholic) was 1-for-3 with a run and RBI.
Sophomore right-hander WENDELL RODRIGUEZ (Jersey City, NJ/County Prep) took the tough loss after pitching so well for most of the contest. He dropped to 1-4, allowing two earned runs and six hits with two walks. Senior righty JEFF KARCZEWSKI (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) allowed one hit with two walks (one intentional) in a blown save in the ninth inning.
For WPU, junior shortstop Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, NJ/Lyndhurst) was the top offensive producer, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Freshman third baseman AJ Flores (West Orange, NJ/West Orange)was 2-for-4 in a leadoff role.
On the mound, freshman Josh Jensen (West Milford, NJ/West Milford) tossed 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs on four hits, striking out six with four walks. Junior Dan Alcala (Totowa, NJ/Passaic Valley Regional) threw 2.2 relief innings, allowing only one hit and striking out one. Junior Bryce Warden (West Milford, NJ/West Milford) was the eventual pitcher of record and picked up the victory, improving to 3-0 by pitching to NJCU's final hitter of the ninth inning.
Trailing 3-2 to start the bottom of the ninth, sophomore left fielder Scott Hansen (Saddle Brook, NJ/Don Bosco Prep)started the rally with a single to shortstop before being lifted for pinch runner Mike Moran (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock Twp.). Pinch hitter Marc Palestina (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) put down a sacrifice bunt but was safe on an error by the Gothic Knight third baseman, and was replaced by pinch runner Blake Crouch (River Edge, NJ/River Dell Regional). Karczewski entered in relief for NJCU. Junior center fielder Jack Montanile's (Weehawken, NJ/Hudson Catholic) sacrifice was successful, advancing the two runners and leaving first base open for designated hitter Rob Doughty (Jersey City, NJ/Hudson Catholic), who was intentionally walked.
Freshman second baseman Scott Ptaszynski's (Wharton, NJ/Morris Hills)fielder's choice resulted in an out at second but was enough to plate Moran and tie the score as NJCU could not turn the double play to end the game. Flores walked to again load the bases, and Dorio provided the game-winning hit when he singled deep into the hole on the left side of the infield, driving in Crouch from third base.
NJCU had built a 3-0 leading, scoring all three runs in the top of the third inning.Back-to-back singles by senior center fielder KEN WITTE (Wantage, NJ/High Point Regional)and senior right fielder JORGE GUTIERREZ (Sewaren, NJ/Hudson Catholic)put runners on the corners and Ramirez drove in the first run with a single through the left side. Junior shortstop ROB GONZALEZ (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) reached on a fielder's choice that loaded the bases and senior first baseman MICHAEL FIORENTINO (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ/Point Pleasant Beach) drew a walk that pushed in Gutierrez for a 2-0 cushion. Sophomore third baseman BRIAN BUSTILLO (Jersey City, NJ/Hudson Catholic) plated the third run with a fielder's choice.
After failing to get on the board in the first seven innings, WPU made it a 3-2 game with two eighth-inning runs. A single by Montanile sparked the Pioneer offense in the bottom of the eighth inning. A walk issued to Ptaszynski, followed by a single by Flores,loaded the bases. A soft two-RBI single up the middle by Dorio drove in Montanile and Ptaszynski, cutting the lead to 3-2.
Five different Gothic Knights accounted for New Jersey City's five hits, including sophomore ANDREW RIVERA (Edison, NJ/Edison), who led off the ninth inning with a pinch hit single, moved to second on a sacrifice and third on a wild pitch, but the visitors were unable to bring him in with what would have been an important insurance run.
The two-day series moves to Jersey City, NJ on Friday, April 8 at 3:30 p.m. when NJCU hosts WPU at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
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Thursday, April 07, 2011 | Wayne, NJ
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New Jersey City University (4-16, 0-3 NJAC)
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William Paterson University (12-7-1, 2-1 NJAC)
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