JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Senior first baseman Andrew Niech (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) hit a two-run game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh and after Lehman College regained a one-run lead in the eighth, the New Jersey City University baseball team tied it again in the bottom of the ninth. But the 2016 Gothic Knight home opener would not have a happy ending, as Lehman scored twice in the top of the 10th inning and with darkness lingering over the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex, NJCU could not take advantage of a pair of leadoff singles in the bottom of the 10th and dropped an 8-6 extra-inning affair on March 22.
 
The game was tied three times with all but the first run for each team scored from the fifth inning on. NJCU fell to 7-4 while the Lightning (5-11) won for the third straight game.
 
Lehman sophomore center fielder Carlo Francisco (Yonkers, NY) batted 5-for-6 with two RBIs, a triple and run scored. His 10th inning RBI single ultimately was game-winning hit.

Junior catcher CJ Pulcine (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) and sophomore designated hitter Dan Berardi (Bridgewater, NJ/Middlesex) had two hits apiece while Niech and junior right fielder Joe Coutinho (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) each notched two RBIs.
 
Junior second baseman Jeff Reinecke (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) scored twice and was involved in all three double plays NJCU turned defensively.

Junior first baseman Christopher Lopez (Bronx, NY) drew three walks for Lehman. Sophomore third baseman Natanael Toribio (Santiago, Dominican Republic) had two hits, including a triple, and walked twice.