GALLOWAY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team dropped a twin bill, 8-4 and 10-5, to Stockton University in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action on Saturday, April 19. With the two losses, the Gothic Knights fall to 10-22-1 overall and 1-12 in NJAC play, while the Ospreys improve to 17-16 and 6-8 in the conference.

GAME ONE
In the opener, NJCU fell 8-4 to Stockton, as the Ospreys outhit the Gothic Knights 12-5. Garret Allo led the way for the Green and Gold, finishing 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) and Arian Lunar (Caracas, Venezuela/Elizabeth) also drove in runs; Rosario notched a triple, while Lunar brought home a run with a sacrifice fly. Four Gothic Knights—Lunar, Rosario, Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield), and John Abrahamsen (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township)—each crossed the plate. Piacenza recorded the team's only extra-base hit with a double.

On the mound, Dom Yarson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) (3-4) made his eighth appearance of the season and seventh start. He pitched 7.1 innings, striking out three batters. Eriberto Reyes (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) came on in relief to toss the final 0.2 innings, allowing just one hit.

Stockton was led offensively by Galasso, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and one run scored. On the mound, DeMilio picked up the win after throwing 6.0 solid innings and striking out six. Cipolla entered in relief and earned his first save of the season, throwing the final 3.0 innings with two strikeouts.

The Ospreys got on the board quickly in the bottom of the first with a double and a single to take a 1-0 lead. They followed with a big second inning, scoring four runs on six hits to build a 5-0 advantage. NJCU finally broke through in the third inning when Lunar singled to third base and moved to third on Piacenza's double down the left field line. Allo then singled to left center to drive in both runners, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

In the bottom of the third, Stockton answered with a sacrifice fly following a hit-by-pitch and sacrifice bunt, extending their lead to 6-2. NJCU continued to battle, scoring two more runs in the fourth. Abrahamsen led off with a single to second base and came around to score on Rosario's triple to left center. Rosario then scored on Lunar's sacrifice fly, bringing the Knights within two runs at 6-4.

The next three innings were quiet for both teams until Stockton added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth on two hits and a sacrifice bunt to make it 8-4. The Gothic Knights were unable to mount a comeback, going hitless over the final five innings of the game.

GAME TWO
In game two, NJCU again showed offensive potential but ultimately fell 10-5 to Stockton, as the Ospreys outhit the Knights 15-12. NJCU also committed one error in the loss. Justin Moreno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Trenton Catholic) paced the Gothic Knights at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial), Garret Allo (2-for-4), and Chris Rosario (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) (2-for-4) each added RBIs of their own, while Abrahamsen contributed two hits. Allo and Moreno each smacked doubles, and Yarson recorded a sacrifice fly. Brenden Baeza (Garfield, N.J./Garfield) added a stolen base in the effort.

On the mound, Dom LaPelosa (Edison, N.J./Edison) (0-3) started and pitched 4.0 innings, striking out four batters. He was followed by Danny Olear (Cranford, N.J./Cranford), Reyes, and Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing), who combined to allow six hits and record three strikeouts over the final four innings.

Offensively, Stockton was led by Gmitter, who had a monster performance at the plate, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Avagnano also drove in three runs, while Nitti scored three times. On the mound, Snyder earned the win (1-2), relieving McCabe after the first 4.1 innings. Snyder pitched 1.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out two. The Ospreys used four pitchers in total, and their staff combined for seven strikeouts—the same total as NJCU's staff.

NJCU opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when Allo drew a leadoff walk. He moved to second on a single through the left side by Abrahamsen, then advanced to third on a groundout by Lunar. With two outs, Moreno reached on an infield single to third, scoring Allo for a 1-0 lead.

Stockton took the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on a double and a single to jump ahead 3-1. NJCU responded in the fourth when Abrahamsen singled to shortstop and moved to second on another base hit from Rosario. With two outs, Moreno came through again, singling to left field to drive in both runners and cut the deficit to 3-2.

In the fifth, the Gothic Knights regained the lead with a three-run frame. Piacenza led off with a single to left field, moved to second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Yarson. Ricourt singled to left to score Piacenza and later came around to score himself on a double by Allo. Allo reached third on the throw home and scored on Rosario's single up the middle, putting NJCU ahead 5-3.

However, Stockton answered immediately in the bottom of the fifth with a five-run outburst, capitalizing on four hits and a costly NJCU error to retake the lead, 8-5. They added two more insurance runs in the sixth on three additional hits, extending the lead to 10-5.

NJCU had a chance to rally in the eighth inning, putting two runners in scoring position, but back-to-back looking strikeouts ended the threat. The Gothic Knights couldn't find any momentum in the ninth, as Stockton's bullpen shut the door.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Wednesday, April 23, when they travel to St. Joseph's Long Island for a non-conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

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