JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team suffered a lopsided 27–6 defeat at the hands of Stevens Institute of Technology on Tuesday, April 15, in a non-conference matchup at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. The Gothic Knights were unable to keep pace with the visiting Ducks, who exploded offensively with 19 hits and took full advantage of five NJCU errors.
Stevens (20–11) opened the floodgates early and never looked back, scoring five runs in the second inning and adding another five in the third to build a commanding 10–1 lead by the middle of the third. NJCU (10–18–1) managed to respond briefly in the bottom of the second when
Enrique Beltra (Monroe, N.J./Ranney) drew a leadoff walk,
Dom Yarson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) was hit by a pitch, and
Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic) singled to load the bases.
Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) then worked a walk to bring home Beltra for the Gothic Knights' first run of the game.
Despite NJCU's early attempt to stay in the game, Stevens continued to press offensively. The Ducks plated one run in the fourth on a passed ball and added two more in the fifth, capitalizing on a pair of hits and another NJCU error. The sixth inning proved disastrous for the Gothic Knights. With the bases loaded via walks and hit batters, Stevens' Chip Krese launched a grand slam over the right field fence, putting the game well out of reach at 18–1.
Krese led the Ducks offensively, going 3-for-5 with six RBI, two runs scored, and the grand slam. Dylan Fishbough also had a stellar performance, finishing 5-for-6 with five RBI and five runs scored. His contributions included a double, a triple, and a sacrifice hit. Stevens continued to pile on the runs in the seventh and eighth innings, combining for nine additional runs on six hits and multiple walks issued by NJCU's pitching staff.
On the mound, NJCU starter
Ricky Del Rio (Edison, N.J./St. Thomas Aquinas) (0–1) lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up five earned runs on five hits while recording one strikeout. He was followed by a series of relievers—
Danny Olear (Cranford, N.J./Cranford),
Yannid Narvaez (Cartago La Union, Costa Rica/International Christian Academy),
Will McChesney (Kearny, N.J./Kearny),
Savior Maxwell (Jersey City, N.J./Snyder), and
Derek Bauernschmidt (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park). McChesney recorded three strikeouts in relief, while Narvaez added one of his own.
NJCU showed a brief surge of life in the sixth inning.
John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) walked with one out, and Moreno reached on an error. With the bases loaded after
Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) was hit by a pitch, Ricourt delivered a two-run single to make it 18–3. The Knights made wholesale defensive changes in the seventh, but the Ducks continued to dominate, scoring six more runs on two hits, five walks, and an NJCU error.
In the top of the ninth, NJCU managed a clean defensive frame for the first time since the opening inning. In their final at-bat, the Gothic Knights put together a small rally. Rosario singled to shortstop, followed by a base hit to right center by Jeff Osborne. With runners at the corners, Baeza reached on a fielder's choice that scored Rosario.
Andre Dean (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) then reached on a fielding error, and
Mike Novak (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) grounded out to advance the runners. Kish capped the rally with a two-run double to left center, bringing the score to 27–6. The final out came on a strikeout, halting the late push.
Despite the tough loss, NJCU received solid efforts from several players.
Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and a walk.
Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) added two hits and a run scored.
Shawn Kish (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge) made the most of his lone plate appearance with a two-run double.
Brenden Baeza (Garfield, N.J./Garfield) recorded an RBI, while
Arian Lunar (Caracas, Venezuela/Elizabeth) contributed with a sacrifice bunt.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to NJAC action on Thursday, April 17 as they head to Montclair State for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch.
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.
