JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team dropped an 11-5 non-conference decision to Stevens Institute of Technology on Tuesday, April 14 at Dobbelaar Baseball Field at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.
NJCU fell to 8-19-1 on the season, while Stevens improved to 19-13. The Ducks outhit the Gothic Knights, 16-5, but NJCU capitalized on three Stevens errors while playing a clean game defensively.
Senior Shawn Kish (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge) paced the Gothic Knights offensively, going 2-for-3 with a double and a career-high four RBIs. Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) added an RBI and a stolen base, while Frandi Yunior Mosquea Mesa (Dominican Republic/Maple Mountain UT) and Mike Novak (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) each contributed a steal.
Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) (0-4) was charged with the loss in relief, allowing four runs on three hits over 1.1 innings. Dovid Solomon (Alon Shvut, Israel/Yeshiva Torah and Artzeinu) made the start, working the opening inning while surrendering two earned runs on four hits and striking out two. NJCU utilized four additional relievers — Derek Bauernschmidt (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park), Jeffrey Osbourne, Nick Chirelli (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) and Yannid Narvaez (Cartago, Costa Rica/International Christian Academy) — with Chirelli striking out two and Osbourne adding one.
Stevens was led by Dylan Fishbough, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Aaron Wong finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored, while Chip Krese crossed the plate three times. As a team, the Ducks tallied three doubles, two home runs and eight stolen bases.
Dawson Guerard (3-1) earned the win in relief for Stevens, tossing four innings and limiting NJCU to two hits while striking out three.
NJCU struck first in the top of the first inning. Solomon reached on a fielder's choice, and Daniel Kapsch (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) and Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) drew walks to load the bases. With two outs, Kish delivered a two-run double to center field, scoring Kapsch and Solomon for a 2-0 lead.
Stevens responded in the bottom half of the inning, using three singles and a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2.
The Gothic Knights regained control in the third. Solomon walked and advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt before Kapsch singled to right-center, putting runners on the corners. After Piacenza drew another walk to load the bases, Ricourt brought home Solomon on a groundout. Kish followed with a two-run single down the right-field line, extending NJCU's advantage to 5-2.
The Ducks began to chip away in the bottom of the third, launching a solo home run to center field to cut the deficit to 5-3. Stevens then held NJCU hitless in the fourth and added another solo homer to right field, pulling within one.
After NJCU was again held without a hit in the fifth, Stevens evened the score at 5-5 in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on a wild pitch.
Stevens took its first lead in the sixth inning. Two singles and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases before a combination of a hit batter, a walk and a single plated three runs, giving the Ducks an 8-5 advantage. Chirelli entered in relief and recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning and limit further damage.
The Ducks added insurance in the seventh, stringing together four hits and a walk to extend their lead to 11-5.
NJCU managed just one hit over the final three innings — a single by Ricourt — while Stevens was able to close out the contest without allowing a late rally.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action Thursday, April 16, when they travel to Montclair State University for a New Jersey Athletic Conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
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.
