JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team opened New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play with a doubleheader against nationally ranked No. 5 Kean University on Saturday, March 28 at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex, falling 12-2 in game one and 17-5 in game two. Despite early competitiveness, the Gothic Knights were unable to contain the Cougars' offensive firepower, dropping to 6-9-1 overall and 0-2 in conference play, while Kean improved to 15-4-1 overall and 2-0 in the NJAC.

GAME ONE: KEAN 12, NJCU 2

In the opening game, NJCU was limited offensively and ultimately outhit 14-5, while both teams struggled defensively with three errors apiece. Graduate student Nick Vaughn (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) accounted for the lone RBI for the Gothic Knights and was one of just two players to cross the plate. Freshman Daniel Kapsch (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) provided a bright spot in the lineup with a team-high two hits, while junior Ray Gelok (Clifton, N.J./Passaic Tech) and sophomore Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) each contributed a hit. Junior Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) also made an impact early, scoring NJCU's first run on a sacrifice fly by Vaughn.

Kean's lineup proved relentless throughout the contest. Dominic Masino and Michael Simone each collected three hits, including doubles, while Justin Texiera delivered a standout performance with a game-high three RBIs on two hits. Masino also crossed home plate three times, setting the tone at the top of the order.

On the mound, senior Andre Dean (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) (1-2) took the loss for NJCU after pitching 4.2 innings, allowing nine runs on 10 hits while striking out six. He was followed by a trio of relievers—junior Derek Bauernschmidt (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park), junior Dovid Solomon (Alon Shvut, Israel/Yeshiva Torah and Artzeinu), and freshman Nick Chirelli (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville)—who worked through the remainder of the game. For Kean, Christian Pareja (3-0) was dominant, tossing eight innings while allowing just five hits and two runs, along with five strikeouts. Cole McGourty closed out the ninth inning with a clean frame, striking out two.

NJCU struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Ricourt reached base on a fielding error and advanced to second on a Kapsch single. A well-placed sacrifice bunt by senior Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) moved both runners into scoring position, setting up Vaughn's sacrifice fly to center field that gave the Gothic Knights a 1-0 lead.

However, Kean responded quickly with three runs in the second inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and a defensive miscue. NJCU briefly cut into the deficit in the fourth inning. Vaughn reached base and advanced into scoring position, and after a sequence that loaded the bases, Gelok grounded into a double play that allowed Vaughn to score, bringing the score to 3-2.

That would be as close as NJCU would get. Kean broke the game open in the fifth inning with a six-run surge fueled by four hits, three walks, a hit-by-pitch, and an error. The Cougars continued to apply pressure, adding another run in the seventh and two more in the ninth to secure a commanding 12-2 victory.

GAME TWO: KEAN 17, NJCU 5

The second game followed a similar pattern, with Kean's offense once again overwhelming NJCU in a 17-5 decision. The Cougars outhit the Gothic Knights 18-7, though NJCU managed to take advantage of three Kean errors while committing two of their own.

Vaughn continued to produce offensively, driving in two runs, while Kapsch, Elam, and freshman Matthew Ferber (South Brunswick, N.J./Saint Joseph Metuchen) each recorded an RBI. Elam led NJCU at the plate, going 2-for-4 and scoring a run. In total, five Gothic Knights crossed home plate: Elam, Kapsch, Ferber, sophomore Shawn Kish (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge), and freshman Travis Evernham (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan).

Kean's offensive depth was again on display. Michael Simone and Jude Clough each tallied three RBIs, while Justin Texiera delivered an exceptional performance, going 5-for-6 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Masino, Simone, and Nick Sellari each scored three runs, setting the table and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

Junior Phil Kramer (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) (1-2) started on the mound for NJCU, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing 11 runs on 13 hits while striking out two. He was relieved by Nick Chirelli (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) and Yannid Narvaez (Cartago, Costa Rica/International Christian Academy), with Chirelli surrendering six runs on four hits and Narvaez allowing just one hit in his appearance. For Kean, Cal Chase earned the win in relief, while Anthony Marano started and allowed four runs over three innings.

Kean opened the scoring early with a run in the first inning and added another in the third to take a 2-0 lead. NJCU responded in the bottom of the third with an impressive offensive rally. After Ferber reached on a walk and Evernham singled, Elam drove in a run with a base hit. Kapsch followed with an RBI single, and Vaughn reached on an error that allowed two more runs to score, giving NJCU a 4-2 advantage.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Kean answered with three runs in the fifth inning to regain control at 5-4. NJCU managed to tie the game in the sixth inning when Kish reached on an error and eventually scored on a Ferber single, evening the score at 5-5.

Once again, Kean's offense took over late. A six-run seventh inning broke the game open, followed by another six-run outburst in the ninth. NJCU struggled to generate offense down the stretch, going hitless in the seventh and eighth innings before a late single by freshman Justin Dekis (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) in the ninth, but the Gothic Knights were unable to mount a comeback.

UP NEXT:

The Gothic Knights will look to bounce back on Tuesday, March 31, as they travel to Reading, Pa. for a non-conference matchup against Alvernia University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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