TEANECK, N.J. – The New Jersey City University baseball team earned a dramatic 9–8 extra-inning victory over SUNY Old Westbury on Tuesday afternoon at the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex, as rookie Daniel Kapsch (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning.
With the win, NJCU improves to 6-5-1 on the season, while Old Westbury falls to 5-4.
Kapsch paced the Gothic Knights offensively, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored, including the game-winning hit. Senior Nick Vaughn (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two stolen bases, while senior Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) added two runs, an RBI, a double, and two stolen bases.
NJCU out-hit Old Westbury, 13–7, and built an early 8–0 advantage through six innings. The Gothic Knights opened the scoring in the second inning on an RBI double by Kenneth Wines (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan), followed by a run-scoring double from Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing). NJCU added two more runs in the third and one in the fifth before breaking the game open with a three-run sixth inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Kapsch, Piacenza, and Vaughn.
On the mound, sophomore Phil Kramer (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) was dominant in the start, allowing just one hit over 4.0 scoreless innings while striking out six. Vaughn followed with 2.0 innings of relief, surrendering one hit and striking out two.
Old Westbury mounted a stunning comeback in the top of the eighth inning, scoring eight runs on five hits, aided by four walks, two NJCU errors, and a hit-by-pitch, to even the score at 8–8.
After a scoreless ninth inning, freshman Nick Chirelli (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) (2-0) earned the win for NJCU, tossing 2.1 hitless innings with four strikeouts, including striking out the side in the 10th to keep the game tied.
In the bottom of the 10th, Brandon Brito (Leonia, N.J./Leonia) led off with a double to center field, and junior Mike Novak (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) was intentionally walked to put two runners on base. Following a fielder's choice, Novak advanced into scoring position and ultimately came around to score the game-winning run on Kapsch's walkoff single to left field.
Chris Gilroy led the Panthers with two RBIs, while Noah Tannenbaum recorded two hits and scored twice. Jimmy Stroehlein (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing the deciding runs in the final inning.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Wednesday, March 25, when they host St. Joseph's-Long Island at 4:00 p.m. at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University Athletics, visit NJCUGothicKnights.com and follow the Gothic Knights on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
