CAMDEN, N.J. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team dropped its first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) doubleheader to Rutgers-Camden on Saturday, March 29 at the Camden Athletic Complex.

GAME ONE
In a tense and hard-fought matchup, the Gothic Knights (9-8-1, 0-1 NJAC) were narrowly edged by the Scarlet Raptors (14-5, 1-0 NJAC) 4-3 in game one of their NJAC series. Despite recording more hits, 11 to 7, and forcing one error on Rutgers-Camden, the Gothic Knights couldn't hold on to their lead. The Scarlet Raptors capitalized on a late-game rally, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to steal the win.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams struggling to break through early on. Through the first four innings, the two squads combined for just five hits, with neither team scoring. However, NJCU broke the deadlock in the top of the fifth inning. Mike Novak (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) led off with a walk and advanced to second base on a single by Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick). After a groundout moved Novak to third, Arian Lunar (Caracas, Venezuela/Elizabeth) delivered with a single to bring Novak home, giving NJCU a 1-0 lead.

The Gothic Knights extended their advantage in the sixth inning. Enrique Beltra (Monroe, N.J./Ranney) reached first on a single to shortstop with one out, then advanced to third on a double by Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic). With runners on the corners, John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) came through with an RBI single to center, scoring Beltra. The rally continued as Rosario followed with a single up the middle, plating Moreno and giving NJCU a 3-0 lead.

However, Rutgers-Camden responded quickly in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Scarlet Raptors mounted a small rally, using two singles, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly to score one run, cutting the deficit to 3-1. It was in the eighth inning that the Scarlet Raptors made their decisive move. With three hits, they plated four runs, taking a 4-3 lead that would stand as the final score.

John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) had a standout performance for NJCU, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) also contributed, hitting 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Arian Lunar (Caracas, Venezuela/Elizabeth) went 1-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a sacrifice hit. Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) and Enrique Beltra (Monroe, N.J./Ranney) added two hits apiece, hitting doubles. Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic) chipped in with a double and Garrett Allo (Monroe, N.J./East Brunswick Tech) added a stolen base. On the mound, Dom Yarson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) started the game for NJCU, pitching six solid innings. He allowed six hits, two runs, and struck out five batters. Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) (0-1) suffered the loss after giving up one run in 0.1 innings. Eriberto Reyes (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) finished the game for the Gothic Knights, striking out one batter in his brief appearance.

For Rutgers-Camden, Murphy was the offensive star, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, a double, and a run scored. Gonzalez contributed with a 2-for-3 performance and one RBI, while Romond added a key home run, finishing 1-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored. On the mound, Carpenter started for the Scarlet Raptors, pitching 5.2 innings. He allowed nine hits, three runs, and struck out five. Rappaport (1-2) picked up his first win of the season with a solid 2.1 innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out three. Shapley closed out the game for Rutgers-Camden, earning his third save of the season with a scoreless 1.0 inning of work.

GAME TWO
The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team fought hard in a late-game rally, but ultimately fell short to Rutgers-Camden, 6-4, in the second game. The Gothic Knights (9-9-1, 0-2 NJAC) were out-hit 9-6 by the Scarlet Raptors (15-5, 2-0 NJAC), and while both teams made errors, Rutgers-Camden's timely offense proved too much for NJCU to overcome.

The Gothic Knights struck first in the second inning when Enrique Beltra (Monroe, N.J./Ranney) walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Yarson. A groundout moved Beltra to third, and with two outs, Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic) singled to third base, bringing Beltra home for a 1-0 lead. However, Rutgers-Camden responded quickly in the fourth inning. A solo home run tied the game at 1-1, and shortly after, the Scarlet Raptors added another run on a single and double to take a 2-1 lead.
Rutgers-Camden continued to build on their advantage in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on three hits. This offensive outburst prompted NJCU to make a pitching change, bringing in Danny Olear (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) in relief of Andre Dean (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield). Despite the pitching change, the Gothic Knights found themselves facing a significant 6-1 deficit heading into the final three innings.

Although the game seemed out of reach, NJCU mounted a spirited rally in the top of the ninth. Yarson was hit by a pitch to start the inning and was replaced by pinch runner Brenden Baeza (Garfield, N.J./Garfield), who advanced to second on a Rutgers-Camden error. With two runners on base, John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) also reached first, putting runners on first and second. Baeza tagged up and moved to third on a hit to left field by Moreno, setting the stage for Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick). Rosario singled to center field, bringing Baeza home and cutting the lead to 6-2. The rally continued as Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) walked, loading the bases. A groundout allowed Abrahamsen to score, trimming the deficit to 6-3. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Evan Freid (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfied) reached first on another error, allowing Rosario to score, making it 6-4. However, Rutgers-Camden's relief pitcher, Shapley, struck out the final batter, sealing the win and completing the Scarlet Raptors' 6-4 victory.

Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) was one of the standout performers for NJCU, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Arian Lunar (Caracas, Venezuela/Elizabeth) and Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic) also contributed with RBIs, while Beltra, Abrahamsen, and Baeza all crossed home plate. The Gothic Knights' offensive effort included stolen bases by Ricourt, Allo, and Beltra, along with two sacrifice hits by Yarson.

On the mound, Andre Dean (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) (1-2) pitched the first 5.1 innings for NJCU, allowing nine hits, six runs, and striking out two batters. Olear came in for 1.2 innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out one, while Eriberto Reyes (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) finished the game with a strikeout.

For Rutgers-Camden, Murphy led the way with three RBIs, including a home run, and scored once. Romond also had a strong performance, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, a home run, and two runs scored. Nutley contributed with a double, an RBI, and one run scored, while Salazar went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. On the mound, Robeson (2-1) earned the win after pitching seven solid innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven. Juliano pitched the next 1.2 innings, giving up three runs on one hit, while Shapley earned his fourth save of the season by striking out the final batter of the game. Despite the strong rally in the ninth inning, NJCU fell short, suffering a 6-4 loss.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights will look to regroup as they prepare for their next game against Purchase on April 2nd.

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