HOBOKEN, N.J. — The New Jersey City University baseball team completed game one of six for the week, traveling to neighboring Stevens University for a non-conference matchup under the lights. The Gothic Knights struck first against the Ducks, but fell behind in the following inning and were unable to stem a comeback, falling 15-3.

After a scoreless first for both squads, fifth year center fielder Bryan Fernandez (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) reached on an infield single to start the second. In the following at bat, freshman first baseman Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) sent a pitch up and over the wall in right field, putting the Gothic Knights (12-20) up 2-0, and giving Piacenza his first collegiate home run. 

Sophomore lefty Jeff Osborne picked up two strikeouts over a scoreless first two innings, but Stevens (21-12) was able to take the lead in the third after a six-run inning. NJCU got a run back in the top of the fourth, with sophomore shortstop Arian Lunar (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) sending a single through the left side to score junior right fielder John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township), who had reached earlier on a single of his own. 

However, the Ducks piled on four more runs in the bottom of the fourth, three in the sixth, and two more in the seventh. The Gothic Knights were able to advance two runners into scoring position in the seventh and eighth innings, but were unable to plate any. After the final out in the top of the ninth was recorded, the final score was 15-3. 

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights are back in action tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24th, for another non-conference matchup, this time at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex, to host the Bloodhounds of John Jay College. The game will be the second of six in five days, and first-pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.