JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University baseball team looked to continue its home winning streak on Thursday, March 30, taking on the Muhlenberg College Mules. NJCU claimed the victory on this chilly afternoon, 4-1.

NJCU (8-9) was threatened early by a leadoff single and steal of second, but senior pitcher Julian Fernandez (Union, N.J./Union) retired the following two batters, and sophomore catcher Nick Vaughn (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) caught the Mules' (7-11-1) baserunner trying to steal third to end the inning. Fernandez was in trouble again in the second and third innings, but after the top of the third, the game remained scoreless.

After a pitching change by Muhlenberg, graduate student first baseman Ricky Voss (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) led the home half off with a single to center. With two outs in the inning, senior infielder Jimmy Vizzoni (Hamilton, N.J./Trenton Catholic) brought home Voss with a RBI single to right field, giving the Gothic Knights a 1-0 lead after three.
 
Fernandez continued his fine outing with a scoreless top of the fourth, followed by RBI singles in the bottom of the inning by freshman infielder Arian Lunar (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) and Voss. Fernandez pitched excellent fifth and sixth innings, not allowing a runner past first while bringing his strikeout total to seven.
 
In the seventh, Muhlenberg tried its best to rally after a one-out error, single, fielder's choice and walk. With the bases loaded and a 3-0 count, Fernandez was relieved by senior pitcher Frank Shipman (Edison, N.J./Edison), who, after walking the inherited batter, struck out the next looking with a breaking ball. After six and a half innings, the Gothic Knights led 3-1.
 
Voss picked up his second RBI of the afternoon in the bottom of the eighth after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving NJCU a three-run lead. Senior outfielder/pitcher Josh Hernandez (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista Community) relieved Shipman in the ninth after starting the day in right field. Hernandez allowed two Mules to reach base in the inning but none into scoring position, and a flyout would give him his second save of the season, and NJCU the victory, the fourth straight at home.
 
Highlights:
- Fernandez went 6.2 innings without an earned run and had a career-high seven strikeouts.
- Shipman has not allowed an earned run through his nine appearances.
- With his two hits today, Voss extended his hitting streak to eight games. 

Up Next:
Weather permitting, the Gothic Knights look to take their home winning streak into New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play on Saturday Apil. 1, hosting The College of New Jersey at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. Opening pitch for game one is scheduled for 11:30 a.m, followed by game two around 3:00 p.m. This will be NJCU's first home matchup vs. TCNJ at the Gerrity since 2018.