HOBOKEN, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Senior first baseman Andrew Niech (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) ripped a three-run go-ahead double to left center in the top of the eighth inning as the New Jersey City University baseball team rallied for an exciting 8-6 victory over Stevens Institute of Technology to open the 2016 season in this year's installment of the Light Rail Rivalry.

On a cold, windy night on March 2 at Dobbelaar Field, NJCU (1-0) outhit the host Ducks (3-3), 12-8 and scored all eight runs between the fourth and eighth innings after falling behind 4-0 as the result of four unearned runs in the bottom of the first. Stevens, which had played five previous games, including a road upset of No. 6/5 Kean on February 19, was receiving votes in the latest D3baseball.com Top 25 poll.

The two cross-Hudson County foes were meeting for the fourth consecutive season and it's the third time the game has been decided by two or fewer runs (2014: Stevens, 6-5; 2013: Stevens, 2-1). The Ducks had won the previous three meetings.
 
Niech belted the record 41st double of his career and scored twice, going 1-for-4 while junior designated hitter Nick Ruscingno (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) had a fine season debut, batting 4-for-5 with two runs, two stolen bases and one RBI.
 
Junior shortstop Zach Buchholz (Colonia, NJ/John F. Kennedy Memorial-Iselin) was 2-for-5 with a run and RBI and junior transfer catcher CJ Pulcine (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) went 2-for-5 in his first game for his new school. Junior right fielder Joe Coutinho (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) had two RBIs and sophomore center fielder Dmitri Rueger (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) scored twice.
 
Sophomore right-hander Jose Ortiz (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy) won in relief. In 5.0 innings he struck out five against two walks and allowed two hits and two runs. Freshman right-hander Ray Liguori (Beachwood, NJ/Toms River South) got the ball to start the season and did not allow an earned run against six hits in four innings. He walked five and struck out one.
 
Stevens, which added two runs in the sixth to regain a 6-4 lead after NJCU had tied it at 4-4, received two RBIs from shortstop Nick Sieber, two hits from infielder Jayson Yano and two runs from left fielder Michael Mule'. Otherwise no Ducks put up any notable performances.
 
Andrew Hamel started for Stevens and struck out five while walking four in 4.2 innings. He allowed three hits and three runs. Greg Jakusik was good in relief (2.1 ip, 2 Ks, 0 BB, 1 run, 4 hits). But Danny McIntyre took his first loss (2-1), giving up the three decisive runs and two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

Stevens led off the home first with a single and two walks to load the bases. An errant throw at second base allowed two unearned runs to come home and that error eventually led to two more unearned runs—one of which scored on a fielder's choice by Sieber and another on a two-out double to left by Garrett Wells.
 
NJCU got a run back in the fourth when Buchholz singled and stole second before Ruscingno drove him in with a double to left center. NJCU stranded two runners in the inning.
 
NJCU drew within a run in the fifth when Rueger walked and Niech was hit by a pitch. Coutinho plated one run with a useful groundout before Buchholz singled to right center. NJCU stranded two more in the frame.
 
The Knights tied it in the top of the sixth as Ruscingno led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a single and scored on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore left fielder Chris Stevenson (Oakhurst, NJ/Red Bank Regional).
 
Stevens regained a 6-4 lead in the sixth when Yano doubled to left with runners on the corners and one out before a fielder's choice against Sieber pushed another run across.
 
That led up to the eighth. Junior transfer second baseman Jeff Reinecke (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) and Ruscingno both singled and freshman Anthony Carfora (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) drew a walk in his first career plate appearance. Niech's cleared the bases with his 152nd career hit, then scored when Coutinho followed with a single to left.
 
Ortiz used a sacrifice fly ball and a double play to breeze through the bottom of the eighth and then got two quick outs in the bottom of the ninth. When an error brought the tying run to the plate with two outs, Ortiz struck out the final batter looking to seal it.
 
QUOTABLE:
 
Head Coach Jerry Smith (fifth season) on the win:
"We talked a lot that our strength is in our depth. There is not an individual, but a collective unit that is going to determine our outcomes this season. Yesterday was a good example. It would be hard to not find someone in the lineup that didn't lead to our win. Whether it was a lead off hit, a walk, a two-out RBI, a bunt, or a stolen base, up and down our line up each player had a hand in the result. Similarly are pitching staff just needs to do their job and pass the baton. Yesterday the tandem did so well we just needed to go to the bullpen once but that trust of the next guy will get it done is a big part of what we preach."

OF NOTE:

• Zach Buchholz extends his on-base streak to 18 consecutive games.
• Andrew Niech has 152 career hits. Next on the all-time list is Dave Long in eighth place with 154 hits (1987-90).

 
#NextKnightTime:
NJCU heads to the Caribbean for the first time in its history for six games in the Clemente Cup 2016 Puerto Rico Spring Break trip. Beginning Wednesday, March 9, the Knights play two games against Messiah College, two versus Oneonta State, and one each against SUNY Canton and Arcadia.