JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team came away with a doubleheader sweep over Muhlenberg on Saturday, March 22, at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletics Complex, edging the Mules 5-4 in game one and dominating 9-4 in game two. The Gothic Knights showcased their power, hitting six home runs across the two games. With the wins, NJCU now stands 4-2 overall against Muhlenberg overall.

GAME ONE
The NJCU Gothic Knights (9-4-1) earned a hard-fought 5-4 victory over the Muhlenberg Mules (9-9) in a thrilling baseball matchup. Sophomore Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) played a pivotal role, driving in the game-tying runs with a clutch single, while sophomore Enrique Beltra (Monroe, N.J./Ranney), senior Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic), and junior John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) also contributed key RBI hits to propel the Knights to victory.

Moreno, who has been a consistent force for NJCU this season, had an outstanding performance at the plate. He went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, highlighted by his fourth home run of the season in the eighth inning to give the Knights a 5-3 advantage. Ricourt, who finished 1-for-4, came through in the clutch with a two-run single in the fifth inning that knotted the game at 2-2. Abrahamsen also went 2-for-4, adding an RBI single in the sixth to extend the Gothic Knights' lead. Piacenza, who hit 2-for-4 with a double, also played a key role, scoring a run.

On the mound, junior Yarson was instrumental in securing the win for NJCU. He pitched 8.1 innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out five batters. With those five strikeouts, Yarson reached an impressive milestone, recording his 100th career strikeout. Freshman Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) earned the save, throwing 0.2 innings in relief, allowing no hits, and striking out one.

The Mules were led by Kent, who delivered a standout performance, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs, one run scored, and both a double and a home run. Kent's home run in the third inning gave Muhlenberg a 1-0 lead, and his RBI single in the seventh kept the Mules within striking distance. Muhlenberg's pitching staff was strong, with starter Foley throwing 5.0 innings and allowing four runs on five hits, while striking out seven. Reliever Virno came in for 3.0 innings of relief, giving up one run on four hits and striking out two.

Muhlenberg got off to a strong start in the third inning when Kent launched a home run to left field, putting the Mules ahead 1-0. They extended their lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning, utilizing a series of small ball tactics: two bunts, a sacrifice hit, and a groundout to bring in an insurance run.

The Gothic Knights responded in the bottom of the fifth inning, after being held hitless through the first four innings. With one out, Yarson walked and advanced to second on a single by Moreno. Abrahamsen then loaded the bases with another single. With two outs, Ricourt delivered a clutch single through the left side, scoring both Yarson and Moreno to tie the game at 2-2.

NJCU took its first lead in the sixth inning. Allo started the rally with a single, advancing to third on a double by Piacenza. Beltra's sacrifice fly to right field brought Allo home, while Piacenza moved to third base. Abrahamsen then drove in Piacenza with a single to left field, giving the Knights a 4-2 lead.

The Mules weren't finished, though, as they mounted a comeback in the seventh inning. A single, double, and another single brought in one run, narrowing the gap to 4-3.

However, the Gothic Knights responded in the eighth with a key two-out home run by Moreno, his fourth of the season, to extend their lead to 5-3. The Mules added one final run in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Knights' advantage. Muhlenberg's final run came on a double that advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, eventually scoring on a fielder's choice.

GAME TWO
In game two against Muhlenberg, the Gothic Knights of NJCU delivered an outstanding performance, securing a 9-4 victory. Arian Lunar (Caracas, Venezuela/Elizabeth) was the standout player, leading the team with a remarkable 2-for-5 showing at the plate, which included two home runs, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Allo added a strong performance, going 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Abrahamsen also had a significant impact, hitting 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored. Meanwhile, Beltra had a team-high four hits in five at-bats, securing an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. In addition to this, Moreno contributed his fifth home run of the season, driving in one RBI, while Ricourt added a 3-for-4 performance, scoring twice and stealing a base. Yarson also helped the cause with three hits in five at-bats.

On the mound, Andre Dean (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) earned the win, pitching a solid 6.0 innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out six batters. Dean's performance was backed by effective relief work from Danny Olear (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) and Elam. Olear threw 1.1 innings, giving up two runs on two hits, while Elam closed the game with 1.2 innings of work, allowing one hit and striking out two batters.

Muhlenberg showed flashes of offensive potential but ultimately fell short. Kent, Pranzo, and Hughes each recorded an RBI for the Mules. Hughes also hit a solo homerun, while Kent added a stolen base. Legner had an impressive outing at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a double. Despite these individual efforts, the Mules' pitching staff struggled throughout the game. Hughes started for Muhlenberg, going 4.0 innings and giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out six. He was relieved by Siper (1.0 inning, three hits, one run), Kern (1.0 inning, two hits, three runs), and Brochin (3.0 innings, five hits, one run, two strikeouts).

The game began with NJCU taking an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ricourt reached base on a walk, and Allo followed with a two-run homer to right-center. Muhlenberg responded in the third, cutting the lead to 2-1 thanks to a double and two errors by the Gothic Knights. However, NJCU quickly regained control in the fourth, with back-to-back home runs from Moreno and Abrahamsen, extending their lead to 4-1.

Muhlenberg responded in the fifth with a solo homer from Hughes, cutting the lead to 4-2, but NJCU answered with a strong offensive showing in the bottom of the inning. Piacenza singled to center, and Beltra followed with another single. With the bases loaded, Abrahamsen walked, bringing Beltra across the plate to make it 5-2.

The Gothic Knights continued to add to their lead in the sixth. Ricourt singled to left, and Lunar launched a home run of the game to right-center, pushing the score to 7-2. Allo, after being hit by a pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. With one out, Beltra singled to third base, scoring Allo to make it 8-2. Lunar's second homerun of the game in the seventh inning gave NJCU a commanding 9-2 lead.

Muhlenberg managed to score two more runs in the eighth, capitalizing on a couple of singles and a fielding error by NJCU to cut the lead to 9-4. However, the Mules were unable to mount a comeback, and NJCU closed out the game, securing the 9-4 win.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Tuesday, March 25 as they host Old Westbury at 4:00 p.m. at the Gerrity.

For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University sports, visit njcugothicknights.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Gothic Knights news by following NJCU Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.