Box Score MONTCLAIR, N.J. — The New Jersey City University baseball team fell this afternoon, April, 14, against fellow New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) foe Montclair State University. The Red Hawk bats exploded for 13 runs in the bottom of the first, ultimately defeating NJCU, 23-4. 

The Jersey City (8-18, 0-7 NJAC) offense did manage to record nine hits this afternoon, as seven different batters collected a base-knock, including freshman first baseman Nick Vaughn (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) collecting a multi-hit day. Having a historic day for himself in the Green and Gold was freshman designated hitter John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township), who not only made his first-career start today for NJCU, but also notched his first-career hit with a base-knock in the fourth through the left side and recorded his second hit in the fifth.

Following the Red Hawk (21-7, 6-1 NJAC) massive first inning, the Gothic Knights responded with two runs of their own. Senior centerfielder Ricky Voss (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) led off the stretch of three-straight NJCU base-hits with a knock to the opposite field. Vaughn followed up Voss with a screamer right back up the middle, giving NJCU a man in scoring position with no outs. Junior rightfielder Josh Hernandez (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista Community) collected his 10th RBI of the season by hitting a moon-shot to the gap, bringing home Voss. In his first at-bat in the starting lineup, Abrahamsen skied a ball to center field, knocking in Vaughn and cutting into the defecit.

After a scoreless second inning by freshman pitcher Tyler Kittle (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah), the NJCU bats went right back to work by bringing in another run. This two-out rally began with sophomore second baseman Ali Pompey (Belle Meade, N.J./Trenton Catholic) and Voss both drawing walks. With two men on with two out, Vaughn came up clutch with a base-knock to left, allowing Pompey to score. Sophomore D.J. Dekis (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) secured his second hit of the season and fourth RBI after he knocked in junior Jon Taylor (Englewood, N.J./Dwight Morrow) as a pinch hitter. The Hazlet native also made his first-career appearance on the mound today and Dekis was flawless, getting a 1-2-3 inning to end the game in the sixth due to weather.

Jersey City was unable to hold the Red Hawks down, as MSU dropped nine more runs in the third.

Up Next:
Luckily for NJCU, the squad will have the opportunity to avenge its loss against the Red Hawks with a game tomorrow, Friday, April 15, against MSU. This time, Jersey City will be playing in front of home fans at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. First pitch for this NJAC clash is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.