JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University baseball team played another high-scoring game against Ramapo College today, Friday, April 23, as the two squads combined to score 51 runs over the last two days. The Gothic Knights fell behind early at The Gerrity to the Roadrunners today, managed a comeback in the sixth, but were unable to surmount the full Ramapo lead before falling at home 17-11.
Before the game began, NJCU took the time to commemorate this past weekend, when — on April 18 — Jersey City celebrated the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson becoming the first Black player in organized professional baseball in the 20th century. He took the field for the Montreal Royals against against the Jersey City Giants at Droyer's Point. In his second at-bat, Robinson homered and, after rounding the bases, shook hands at home plate with teammate George Shuba — a moment captured on film and commemorated in statues. In the years before the civil rights movement, this was the first time many Americans saw a black and white man exchanging a handshake, whether in person or in a photograph. It remains one of the most significant images in history. Today, in recognition of this historical milestone and the legacy of April 18, 1946, NJCU wore special commemorative shirts in the famous Dodger blue. As part of the pregame commemoration, Pat Sanford, baseball coordinator for Jersey City's department of recreation, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
NJCU (4-19, 2-10 NJAC) took an early 3-2 lead over the Roadrunners (8-6, 7-5 NJAC) after 2.0 innings of play in Jersey City. Trailing 2-0, the Gothic Knights manufactured three runs in the home half of the second. After a leadoff single by sophomore
Jimmy Vizzoni (Hamilton, N.J./Trenton Catholic), sophomore
Caleb Ware (Newark, N.J./University) entered as a pinch runner and immediately stole second. He was then sent home via a RBI single from freshman
Ali Pompey (Belle Meade, N.J./Trenton Catholic). After moving to second on a failed pickoff attempt, Pompey was plated by junior
Mitchell Leslie's (Gibbstown, N.J./Gloucester Tech) RBI single to tie it up 2-2. Junior
Leo Colon (Carteret, N.J./St. Anthony (Jersey City)) then singled to put runners on first and second. In the next at-bat, Colon got caught in a pickle between first and second, but during the hubub, Leslie was able to round third and score on the play.
However, Ramapo tied it back up in the next half inning with a pair to make it 3-3. The Roadrunners then put up a three-spot in the fourth and blew up for five runs in the fifth and seemingly blew the game open. Trailing 12-3 and needing a rally, however, the Gothic Knights got just that in the bottom of the sixth, putting across five runs of their own to make it 12-8. Freshman
Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic) reached on a leadoff error and was replaced by
Michael Gurzynski (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) as a pinch runner. Leslie then brought him home with a single up the middle.
Leo Colon (Carteret, N.J./St. Anthony (Jersey City)) then doubled to left to put runners on second and third. Freshman
David Duran (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) drew a walk to load the bases and immediately after, senior
Brandon Rivera (Aberdeen, N.J./Matawan Regional) plated two with a single up the middle to make it 12-6. With the bases loaded once more, NJCU drew two walks for a pair of RBIs for senior
Juan Pena (Perth Amboy, N.J./Perth Amboy) and Pompey.
Unfortunately the Roadrunners scored five more in the next half inning to make it 17-8. The Gothic Knights scratched three more across in for the remainder of the day, but ultimately came up short.
Highlights
- Leslie went 3-for-4 with two RBI for the second straight day. He also score three times, stole two bases and was hit by a pitch.
- Freshman
Elijah Colon (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) was 2-for-2 with a stolen base.
-
Leo Colon (Carteret, N.J./St. Anthony (Jersey City)) was 2-for-5 with a double, two runs, was hit by a pitch and stole a base.
- Rivera finished 1-for-4 with three RBI. He also walked and had a sacrifice fly.
- Junior
Ricky Voss (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) drew four walks and stole two bases.
- NJCU had a tough day on the mound, however junior
Tom Paul (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Boro) finished out the final 2.0 innings scoreless, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts.
What's Next
The Gothic Knights head to Montclair, N.J., tomorrow, Saturday, April 24, for an 11:30 a.m. doubleheader against Montclair State University. NJCU will look to avenge an 11-10 extra innings non-conference loss to the Red Hawks back March 25.
