GLASSBORO, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Rowan University limited New Jersey City University to one run in the opening game before the Profs scored 10 runs in the first three innings in game two and swept a makeup New Jersey Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader on April 17, winning 7-1 and 12-5.
 
Rowan improved to 17-13 and 6-4 in the NJAC with the sweep. NJCU's mid-season slump continued as the Gothic Knights lost their eighth and ninth in a row, falling to 13-15 (0-10 NJAC). The twinbill was the makeup of an April 9 and 10 postponement.
 
In defeat, senior catcher Andrew Niech (Avenel, N.J./Colonia) was a combined 5-for-9 with two RBIs, as he increased his career hit total to 192 in 140 games—eight shy of becoming the program's all-time leader.
 
Game 1: Rowan University 7, New Jersey City 1
NJCU tied it in the fourth inning before Rowan scored twice in the fifth and added three insurance runs in the eighth in a 7-1 result.
 
Niech, sophomore first baseman Dan Berardi (Bridgewater, N.J./Middlesex), and junior right fielder Joe Coutinho (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) each had two hits for Knights.
 
Shortstop Matt Jolly was 2-for-4 with a solo home run for Rowan while right fielder Kyle Golla was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Center fielder Bret Phillips and catcher Greg Myers each walked twice.
 
Rowan's Johnny Dunn tossed a complete-game effort in the victory (3-2). In 9.0 innings over 115 pitches he struck out four, walked one and allowed one run and eight hits.
 
Freshman right-handed pitcher Elijah Pereira (Jersey City, N.J./Ferris) started for NJCU, taking his first collegiate loss (2-1). He allowed four runs and seven hits in 5.0 innings (3 walks, 1 strikeout). Sophomore righty Anthony Keri (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex), the first of four relievers, made his 19th appearance in 27 games in a scoreless sixth inning of work.
 
Key Moments
The Profs went ahead 1-0 in the third when left fielder Eric Oliver was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. NJCU evened it in the fourth as junior third baseman Zach Buchholz (Colonia, N.J./John F. Kennedy Memorial-Iselin) and Coutinho were hit by pitches back-to-back and Niech singled to center to tie the game.
 
But Rowan moved back in front with two runs in the fifth. Phillips walked and Oliver singled before Phillips scored on a misplay in the outfield. Oliver scored the second run on a delayed double steal, taking home before the inning ending tag was made at second. Jolly homered to left center to lead off the sixth for a 4-1 lead. Golla had a two-run double in the eighth before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Phillips.
 
Game 2: Rowan University 12, New Jersey City 5
NJCU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning before Rowan tied it with three in the bottom of the second and put the game out of reach when it plated seven runs in the third when 11 men came to the plate.
 
Rowan third baseman Dillon Mendel had two hits in the third inning and finished 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs while Phillips batted 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs.
 
Jolly finished 2-for-5 (one run), Golla produced two RBIs (1-for-2, one run) and first baseman Steven Todd scored twice.
 
Buchholz played third and short in the loss and batted 3-for-5 with one run while Niech was 3-for-5 with one RBI. Coutinho finished 2-for-3 with one run scored.
 
After Rowan starter Bo Gilligan faltered in the first two innings, Brad Machinski came on in relief and earned the win (2-1), tossing 5.0 shutout innings. He allowed five hits, striking out three against one walk.
 
Sophomore lefty Mike Ramirez (Old Bridge, N.J./Saint Joseph-Metuchen), the first of five NJCU pitchers, took the loss (1-3), allowing four earned runs in 3.0 innings. Freshman righty Corey Nase (Toms River, N.J./Toms River South) and junior righty Joe Stone (Piscataway, N.J./John F. Kennedy Memorial-Iselin) each threw a scoreless inning of relief.
 
Key Moments
NJCU started off hot, scoring three times on five hits in the first inning. Buchholz and Coutinho singled and an RBI double by Berardi gave NJCU a 1-0 lead. Niech singled home a run with his 96th career RBI and junior Jeff Reinecke (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex), who got the start in left field, knocked in Berardi with a single to center for a 3-0 lead.
 
In the second, Rowan evened it. Back-to-back singles by Jolly and second baseman Evan Hughes followed by a walk loaded the bases. A sac fly by Golla and a two-run triple to right by Phillips made it 3-3.
 
In the third, Rowan scored seven times on six hits—aided by three infield errors. Six of the seven runs were unearned. Mendel led off with a triple and scored on an RBI single by designated hitter Monny Strickland. Golla added an RBI double for a 5-3 lead. After the second error extended the inning, Mendel came to bat again, singling to short.
 
Up 10-3, Rowan added single runs in the fifth and eighth innings. NJCU scored twice in the ninth.  
 
OF NOTE:

• Andrew Niech has 192 hits in 140 career games. Still third in school history, he is five hits shy of second place Rob Sumner (2005-08) with 196 hits and eight shy of passing new all-time leader Michael Martucci (2012-15) who set the record last year with 199 hits. Niech has scored 103 runs with 96 RBIs.
• A day after notching his 100th career hit, NJCU was without junior left fielder Nick Ruscingno (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) who missed the doubleheader with an illness.

 
#NextKnightTime:
After a day off, NJCU returns to action with a home non-conference game against Penn State University-Abington on Tuesday, April 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. Follow the live broadcast (https://www.youtube.com/user/NJCUGothicKnights/Live) and live stats (http://www.sidearmstats.com/NJCU/baseball/).