Jersey City, N.J. — The New Jersey City University baseball team played its first home game of the 2024 season, hosting the Bears of St. Joseph's University-Brooklyn at Caven Point Field in Jersey City, N.J. The Gothic Knights dominated after an early offensive explosion and a strong outing by the pitching staff, picking up the 9-3 victory on Friday, Mar. 1.

Senior utility Ali Pompey (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Catholic) got the afternoon started by striking out the side. The Gothic Knights (2-1) took advantage of the early momentum, and plated four across, including an RBI-double from freshman utility Enrique Beltra (Monroe, N.J./Ranney) and a 3-run double from freshman utility Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial). NJCU batted through their lineup before the side was retired by the Bears (0-1).

Pompey continued dealing in the following innings, giving up just one hit through four. In the home half, the Green and Gold piled on additional insurance runs for Pompey. NJCU has continued to be aggressive on the base paths, and a Ricourt steal of second allowed freshman outfielder/pitcher Ray Gelok (Clifton, N.J./Passaic Tech) to come home on a throwing error by the Bears second baseman. Beltra then singled to right to bring home Ricourt, giving the squad a 6-0 lead.

The top of the fifth was no trouble for Pompey, who hit the first batter but was caught stealing before he retired the following two. NJCU added on to their total with an RBI-single by freshman first baseman Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield). In the home half of the sixth, Beltra tripled to right-center, scoring Ricourt, and a sacrifice fly by freshman infielder Jordan Martins (Edison, N.J./Edison) brought in the Gothic Knights' ninth and final run of the afternoon.

In the top of the seventh, Pompey got himself into a no-out, bases-loaded jam, and gave up his first and only earned run after an RBI groundout by St. Joe's. The Bears brought in a second run after a passed ball in the following at bat, but the second runner was thrown out at the plate. A groundout to second got Pompey out of the inning, and gave him a seven-inning nine strikeout afternoon. NJCU gave up just one more run in the eighth before shutting down the Bears and taking a 9-3 victory.

Highlights:
- Pompey pitched a career-high seven innings and recorded a career-high nine strikeouts.
- Beltra has recorded multiple hits in all three games this season.

Up Next:
Weather pending, the Gothic Knights will host another game at Caven Point Field on Saturday, Mar. 2 against the Utica University Pioneers. First-pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.