JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team fell short against University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV) on Tuesday, March 4, at Caven Point, losing 7-5.

The Dolphins (2-1) came out strong, taking an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. NJCU (1-1-1) responded in the bottom of the first, with sophomore Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) singling up the middle. Junior Arian Lunar (Caracas, Venezuela/Elizabeth) followed with a walk, and both runners advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Sophomore Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) then brought Piacenza home with a groundout to the shortstop, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

However, UMSV quickly answered back in the second inning, scoring a run off two hits. With UMSV up 4-1, the Dolphins added another three runs in the third inning, with an error and a series of singles pushing their lead to 6-1. The Gothic Knights were forced to make a pitching change, bringing in sophomore Danny Olear (Cranford, N.J./Cranford), who ended the inning with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the third, NJCU began chipping away at the lead. Freshman Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Lunar also walked, and both runners moved into scoring position as Rosario stole third base. Graduate student Garrett Allo (Monroe, N.J./East Brunswick Tech) then delivered a clutch two-RBI triple down the right-field line to cut the deficit to 6-3. Ricourt followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Allo home and pulling NJCU within two runs at 6-4.

Freshman Phil Kramer (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) came in for relief in the fourth inning and pitched effectively, striking out the first batter he faced and getting out of the inning with another strikeout. The Dolphins managed to add one more run in the top of the fourth, when a single to center field scored another run to make it 7-4. NJCU had a chance to respond in the bottom of the fourth, when Dom Yarson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) reached first on a hit-by-pitch and advanced to third on a groundout and passed ball. However, the Gothic Knights could not capitalize on the opportunity, ending the inning with Yarson stranded on third.

Kramer continued to keep NJCU in the game with strong pitching in the fifth and sixth innings, striking out five batters over six innings and allowing only four hits. In the bottom of the sixth, the Gothic Knights made another push. Sophomore Enrique Beltra (Monroe, N.J./Ranney) reached base on a throwing error, stole second, and then scored on another throwing error by the USMV shortstop (7-5).

The Dolphins were unable to capitalize on any further opportunities, with a key play coming in the top of the seventh when USMV's opened the inning with a triple to right field but was called out for failing to touch first base after Kramer threw him out on the appeal. NJCU's defense held steady, and Kramer worked through a quick seventh inning, recording two popouts to Yarson at third to close it out.

The Gothic Knights' offense struggled to generate momentum in the final two innings, managing only a single hit in the last frame. Despite a valiant effort to claw back, NJCU ultimately fell 7-5 to USMV, marking the first time in their history that they have lost to the Dolphins. The overall series record now stands at 5-1 in favor of NJCU.

For UMSV, Joey DiNorcia had a standout performance, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Stephen Marinez also played a crucial role, hitting 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. USMV's pitchers, led by Joseph Santos, combined for eight strikeouts and held NJCU to just five runs. Santos earned the win, pitching 2.1 innings while allowing one hit and striking out three.

On the NJCU side, Allo and Ricourt each contributed two RBIs. Allo's triple in the third was a key moment, and Ricourt's sacrifice fly helped keep his team in the game. Freshman Will McChesney (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) made his first collegiate start, throwing 2.1 innings, allowing six hits, and recording two strikeouts. Olear and Kramer both provided strong relief efforts, with Kramer's six innings of work being particularly impressive, striking out five and allowing only one walk.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the Ripken Experience. Their first game is Saturday, March 8 at 4:00 p.m. against Penn State Schuylkill.
 
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