JERSEY CITY, N.J. – New Jersey City University mounted a late offensive surge but could not recover from an early 11-run deficit, falling to St. Joseph's–Long Island, 18-11, in a non-conference matchup that was called after eight innings due to darkness on Wednesday, March 25, at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
The Gothic Knights (6-6-1) were out-hit 14-12 and committed three errors to the Golden Eagles' two, as SJLI (7-8) capitalized early and often to seize control of the game.
St. Joseph's–Long Island struck first with two runs on three hits in the opening inning and quickly added three more in the second to take a 5-0 advantage. The Golden Eagles broke the game open in the third, using two walks and four hits to plate six runs and extend their lead to 11-0.
NJCU starter Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) (0-3) took the loss, allowing 10 earned runs on nine hits over 2.2 innings of work. The Gothic Knights' bullpen combined to limit further damage at times, highlighted by Derek Bauernschmidt's (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park) 1.1 hitless innings and Manuel Merchan's (San Cristobal, Estado Tachira, Venezuela/Dwight Morrow) team-high two strikeouts.
The Golden Eagles continued to add on with two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth, stretching the margin to 15-0 before NJCU finally broke through offensively in the bottom of the sixth.
A sequence of four walks by Jimmy Nichols (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan), Frandi Yunior Mosquea Mesa (Dominican Republic/Maple Mountain UT), Ray Gelok (Clifton, N.J./Passaic Tech), and Nicholas Diadema (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) forced in NJCU's first run of the game. Freshman Travis Evernham (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) followed with a single that, combined with a throwing error, plated two more runs. After another walk loaded the bases, rookie Daniel Kapsch (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) delivered a two-run double to cut the deficit to 15-5.
Kapsch led NJCU at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Evernham added two RBIs and a run scored, while Kenneth Wines (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) and Manuel Merchan (San Cristobal, Estado Tachira, Venezuela/Dwight Morrow) each drove in two runs in the eighth inning. Thomas Ingallinera (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) also recorded a double and an RBI, and Mike Novak (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) scored a team-high two runs as 10 Gothic Knights crossed the plate.
St. Joseph's–Long Island responded in the eighth, taking advantage of four walks, a single, and a groundout to score three more runs and push its lead to 18-5.
With darkness approaching, NJCU mounted one final rally in the bottom half of the eighth. Novak reached base with two outs, and consecutive walks by Evan Hill (Southampton, N.J./Seneca) and Matthew Ferber (South Brunswick, N.J./Saint Joseph Metuchen) loaded the bases. Brandon Brito (Leonia, N.J./Leonia) was then hit by a pitch to force in a run, before Wines delivered a two-run pinch-hit single to center field. Ingallinera followed with an RBI double to right center, and Merchan capped the scoring with a two-run single through the right side, bringing the Gothic Knights within 18-11.
However, the comeback bid was cut short as umpires called the game due to darkness before the inning could be completed.
St. Joseph's–Long Island was led offensively by Paul McNally, who went 3-for-3 with five RBIs, while Joe Hackal and Frankie Asaro each contributed two RBIs and three runs scored. John Perino (1-0) earned the win, allowing seven hits over five innings.
UP NEXT:
NJCU will look to carry its late offensive momentum into its next game as the Gothic Knights return to action on Thursday, March 26, hosting the University of Mount Saint Vincent in a 3:30 p.m. makeup contest.
