JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University baseball team resumed action, Wednesday, March 29, at home the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex, as the Gothic Knights hosted the College of Mount Saint Vincent. The Gothic Knights trailed early, however they won in thrilling fashion late, scoring 11 unanswered runs, including nine in the bottom of the seventh inning, to win 14-11 over the Dolphins.

Jersey City (7-9) trailed 2-0 after the first to the Dolphins (11-7). Senior pitcher Berto Reyes (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) came into relief and was exactly what the doctor ordered as he provided NJCU with 4.1 quality innings, doubling his season totals. With Reyes pitching well, NJCU was able to battle back as sophomore outfielder John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the second with a RBI-single making it 2-1. NJCU plated another run in the third off an error, but ultimately took the lead in the bottom of the fourth as freshman shortstop Arian Lunar (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) scored virtue of a balk to make the score 3-2.

Unfortunately for NJCU, what at the time was seemingly the turning point of the game came in the top of the fifth inning, as after the Gothic Knights replaced Reyes after recording the first out of the inning, Mount Saint Vincent exploded for nine runs on nine hits taking an 11-3 lead. In most cases, an eight run lead halfway into a game ultimately would be safe, however as it turned out, that wasn't the case this evening. NJCU threatened in the fifth after senior infielder Jimmy Vizzoni (Hamilton, N.J./Trenton Catholic) led off with a double, but unfortunately was not able to score. The sixth began the full momentum change, as graduate first baseman Ricky Voss (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) roped his second double of the game bringing home Lunar making the score 11-4. NJCU did not score another run in the inning, but continued its momentum with senior pitcher Justin Wiltsey (Hamilton Township, N.J./Hamilton West) providing back to back shutdown innings.

Then in the bottom half of seventh all pandemonium broke out as senior outfielder Bryan Fernandez (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) led off the inning taking a pitch off the numbers on the back of his uniform. After, sophomore catcher Nick Vaughn (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) singled to center putting both Vaughn and Fernandez in scoring position as both advanced on a wild pitch later. NJCU's first producer of a run Abrahamsen produced again with another RBI two pitches later as he flew out to deep right field, making the score 11-5. Lunar then singled, putting two runners on the basepaths again setting up the top of the order. Next came senior outfielder Josh Hernandez (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista Community), who came to plate hitless in four appearances, but that quickly changed as he roped a single to the right side to load up the bases setting up Voss. A run crossed the plate in the middle of the at bat as Vaughn scored on a wild pitch, making the score 11-6 before an eventual walk of Voss to reload the bases. Freshman designated hitter Dom Yason brought home a run on an error, keeping the bases loaded, but putting NJCU down by four, 11-7.

Down four, the hits started to come with one out as junior infielder Garrett Allo (Monroe, N.J./East Brunswick Tech) brought home Voss and Hernandez with a base hit to center putting NJCU down just two. Vizzoni, afterwards, worked a walk in a long at bat, setting up Fernandez with the bases loaded. Fernandez, who opened up the inning hitless and then was hit, stepped in and immediately faced a two strike deficit. Then, the turning point of the game as Fernandez drilled a deep drive to left field touching them all as the ball went over the fence, as he drilled his second home run of the season, and the biggest hit of his NJCU career, a grand slam, putting NJCU back on top 13-11. NJCU did not score another run in the inning but for the second time in the game boasted a lead, answering back to the Dolphins with a nine run outburst of their own.

NJCU brought in Hernandez to pitch to close things down as he pitched a scoreless inning in the eighth. NJCU added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning, as junior first basemen D.J. Dekis (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) produced a RBI single to center making the score 14-11. Hernandez came back out to pitch the ninth, and locked things down sealing the save, as he retired the Dolphins in order to close out the game. NJCU won by a final score of 14-11, with Wiltsey picking up the win along with Hernandez's save.

Highlights:
- For the second time this season, Voss produced at least four hits. He now boasts a .500 average, batting 29-for-58.
- With his go-ahead grand slam in the seventh, Fernandez hit his fourth career home run and his first career grand slam with NJCU.
- Lunar also played a pivotal role for NJCU as he produced a three hit performance for the first time in his young career.
- Wiltsey and Hernandez combined for four innings of shutout baseball during the stretch of 11 NJCU runs, earning Wiltsey his first win of the season along with Hernandez's first save.

Up Next:
NJCU returns back home Thursday, March 30, as the Gothic Knights host Muhlenberg College at the Gerrity. Opening pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.