MADISON, N.J. — The New Jersey City University baseball team finally opened up its 2023 season on the road on Tuesday, Feb. 21, against Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham. The Gothic Knights fell behind early, but scored seven runs over the final five innings, however they were defeated by the Devils, 13-8.

Jersey City (0-1) bats were alive all day long against FDU (1-0), as the top of the order was dominant. Seniors Josh Hernandez (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista Community), Jimmy Vizzoni (Hamilton, N.J./Trenton Catholic) and Ricky Voss (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) and sophomore Nick Vaughn (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) combined to go 9-for16 at the plate with five RBI anf four runs. Additionally, eight NJCU pitchers saw time on the mound throughout the day.

The Green ad Gold took the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a sac fly from senior Bryan Fernandez (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial), however the Devils put up a six spot in the home half to take a lead they would not relinquish. Trailing 8-1 after four, Jersey City had its biggest offensive output of the afternoon with a three-run top of the fifth. Rookie Arian Lunar (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) drew a leadoff walk and the Hernandez knocked a double to right to put to in scoring position with no outs. Vizzoni followed with a hard-hit grounder to the deep left corner of the infield. The Devils tried to throw out Lunar at home, but the freshman beat the throw and Jersey City had runners on the corners with no outs. Voss immediately followed with another hard hit to right to advance all the runners by one base and make it 8-3. Vaughn followed by loading the bases with no outs before NJCU scored again in the next at-bat on a double-play before the inning ended at 8-4.

Vaughn struck again in the top of the seventh with a big-time double to center to score Voss all the way from first to make it 12-6 at the time. NJCU scored two more runs in the top of the eighth. Graduate student James Liburd (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth), Hernandez and Vizzoni all singled to start it off and loaded the bases before Voss was hit by a pitch to walk in a run. Vaughn followed with a routine grounder to third, but the Devils fielder sailed the throw over home plate, allowing Hernandez to score and make it 12-8.

Highlights:
- Hernandez finished 3-for-4 with three runs, a double and a RBI. He also had a sac fly.
- Vizzoni was 2-for-5 with a run and a RBI, while Voss was 2-for-3 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch, a RBI and a run scored.
- Vaughn was 2-for-4 with a RBI double and was hit by a pitch, as well.
- Junior Ali Pompey (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Catholic) was 1-for-3 with a run and a pair of walks.
- Senior Paul Tannucilli (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) drew the loss in the start, going 3.0 innings and allowing four earned. Rookie Dom Yarson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) had a strong day on the mound in his debut, tossing 1.2 scoreless and hitless with a couple of strikeouts.
- Senior Frank Shipman (Edison, N.J./Edison) had 1.0 scoreless and hitless with a couple of Ks, while Hernandez tossed the same with one strikeout in the bottom of the eighth.

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights are next scheduled to play against SUNY Brockport this weekend at Caven Point in Jersey City in their home opener.