Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team wrapped up their time at the Ripken Experience in style, earning a pair of victories on Wednesday, March 12. The Gothic Knights (6-1-1) first defeated Cairn (5-2) with a dominant 9-2 performance, improving their all-time record to 3-0 against the Highlanders. In their second game, NJCU overcame Lesley (2-3) in a thrilling 15-10 contest, extending their winning streak to five games. This marks their first five-game winning streak since the 2019 season.

GAME ONE vs. Cairn
NJCU defeated Cairn 9-2, with a dominant performance on both sides of the ball. Designated hitter Garrett Allo (Monroe, N.J./East Brunswick Tech) went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, while left fielder Evan Freid (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfied) added two RBIs on his first collegiate hit. Catcher Enrique Beltra (Monroe, N.J./Ranney) had a strong outing, going 2-for-4 with two runs, an RBI, and a triple. First baseman Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) also contributed with two runs, two stolen bases, and a pair of walks.

On the mound, freshman Phil Kramer (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) earned his first collegiate win, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing three hits, and striking out four. Fifth-year pitcher Eriberto Reyes (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) closed out the game with 3.0 innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out three, earning his first save of the season and fourth career save.

NJCU got on the board first in the second inning when Beltra singled to left field, advanced to second on a throwing error, and scored on a single by senior Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic), giving the Gothic Knights a 1-0 lead. Cairn quickly responded in the bottom half of the second, loading the bases with two hit batters and a single. A walk tied the game at 1-1.

In the top of the fourth, Piacenza walked and was later scored on a Beltra triple, giving NJCU a 2-1 lead. The Highlanders answered in the bottom of the fifth when an error allowed a runner to score, tying the game at 2-2.

The Gothic Knights broke the game open in the sixth. Allo led off with a single and advanced to second on a fielding error. Beltra was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. After a passed ball, NJCU took a 3-2 lead. Moreno was then hit by a pitch, and a wild pitch moved all runners up, extending the lead to 4-2. Freid followed with a single that scored two more runs, making it 6-2. After a couple of wild pitches, Rosario and Ricourt contributed more with base hits, and Allo capped the rally with a two-RBI single, pushing the lead to 9-2.

Cairn threatened in the bottom of the sixth, placing runners in scoring position, but Kramer struck out the final batter to escape the jam. Reyes then pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and ninth, allowing just one hit in the eighth, to close out the game and secure the 8-2 victory.

GAME TWO vs. Lesley
The NJCU Gothic Knights put on a commanding performance, securing a 15-10 victory over Lesley in an action-packed game. Piacenza was at the forefront of the offensive explosion, going 2-for-4 with a career-high four RBI and two runs scored, including a double. His efforts were complemented by Moreno, who added three RBI and two runs, going 1-for-3 with a double. Lunar also made his presence felt, finishing 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Gothic Knights displayed incredible speed on the bases, as they tallied eight stolen bases throughout the game.

The game began with Lesley drawing first blood in the top of the first inning. After loading the bases with a single, walk, and a hit-by-pitch, Lesley capitalized on another walk to take a 1-0 lead. However, NJCU wasted no time responding in the bottom half of the inning. Ricourt was hit by a pitch, and Lunar followed with a single to right field. The pair advanced on stolen bases, setting the stage for Piacenza, who doubled to left field, scoring both Ricourt and Lunar to give NJCU a 2-1 lead. Beltra continued the rally with a triple, bringing in Piacenza for a 3-1 advantage. A sacrifice fly from Yarson extended the lead to 4-1, putting the Gothic Knights in control early.

Lesley quickly regained the lead in the second inning, capitalizing on two hits and two errors to score four runs and go up 5-4. The Lynx added another insurance run in the third after a bunt, stolen base, and a wild pitch brought the score to 6-4. Lesley's defense also kept NJCU off the scoreboard in the second and third innings, as the Gothic Knights were held hitless and stranded a runner in both frames.

However, NJCU showed resilience in the fourth inning, exploding for eight runs on four hits. Marco Cundari (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's Boys) was hit by a pitch and promptly stole second, followed by walks to Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) and John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) to load the bases. Mike Novak (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) came in as a pinch runner for Abrahamsen, and Lunar delivered a clutch single up the middle, driving in two runs and tying the game at 6-6. The Gothic Knights then executed a series of stolen bases, putting themselves in scoring position for Piacenza, who delivered a two-run single to center field, giving NJCU an 8-6 lead. With the bases loaded, Moreno came through with a clutch double to left field, clearing the bases and extending the lead to 11-6. Cundari then capped the inning with a single, driving in Moreno and pushing the advantage to 12-6.

Despite the large lead, Lesley mounted a rally in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on four hits and an error to cut the deficit to 12-10. The Lynx benefited from a fielding error, a wild pitch, and some timely hitting, including a double and a triple, to bring the game within two runs. Olear was called in to relieve, and after striking out the first batter he faced, NJCU got out of the inning with a groundout and a key putout by Lunar at shortstop.

In the bottom of the sixth, NJCU quickly responded, loading the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. A passed ball allowed Beltra to cross home plate, extending the lead to 13-10. With two outs, Rosario delivered a two-run single to right field, giving the Gothic Knights a 15-10 advantage.

The final two innings were quiet for the Lynx, as NJCU's pitching by Dean, shut down their offense. Dean, who earned the first save of his career, pitched the final three innings, striking out three batters and allowing just three hits. His performance, highlighted by a strikeout to end the game, sealed the 15-10 victory for NJCU.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights host Manhattanville at the Thomas M Gerrity Athletic Complex on Saturday, March 15 for a 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. doubleheader.

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