EWING, N.J. — New Jersey City University split a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader with The College of New Jersey on Saturday, April 18, at George Ackerman Park. The Lions claimed the opener, 6-1, before the Gothic Knights responded with a 5-3 victory in game two.
In game one, NJCU (8-22-1, 2-11 NJAC) was limited to five hits and could not overcome a decisive second inning by TCNJ (15-18, 5-8 NJAC). Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) and Travis Evernham (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) each recorded two hits, with Piacenza driving in NJCU's lone run and Brendan Baeza scoring. Danie Kapsch accounted for the other hit. On the mound, Andre Dean (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) (2-4) worked eight innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits while striking out two.
TCNJ broke the game open in the bottom of the second. After loading the bases with three walks, the Lions strung together three singles and a double to plate five runs and take control. They added another run in the fourth when a right-field error set up a score on a wild pitch. NJCU answered in the fifth as Baeza reached on a hit-by-pitch, advanced on Evernham's single, and scored on Piacenza's base hit up the middle. TCNJ starter Jesse Bear (3-2) went the distance, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts.
The Gothic Knights rebounded in game two, improving to 9-22-1 (3-11 NJAC) with a resilient performance despite being outhit. NJCU capitalized on three TCNJ errors and received a complete-game effort from Phil Kramer (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) (2-4), who allowed three runs on 10 hits and struck out three.
NJCU struck early as Kapsch singled to open the game, moved into scoring position on a failed pickoff attempt, and scored on a single by Frandi Yunior Mosquea Mesa (Dominican Republic/Maple Mountain UT). Mosquea Mesa later stole second and came home on Shawn Kish's (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge) double, giving NJCU a 2-0 lead. The Gothic Knights extended the advantage to 3-0 in the third when Piacenza doubled, stole third, and scored on a passed ball.
TCNJ answered in the fourth inning, as Jake Carter delivered the key swing, launching a three-run home run to tie the contest at 3-3. The Lions' bullpen then held NJCU hitless until the eighth inning, keeping the game even into the late stages.
NJCU regained control in the eighth. Mosquea Mesa opened the inning with a single and advanced on a passed ball. With two outs, Ray Gelok (Clifton, N.J./Passaic Tech) singled up the middle, and Nick Vaughn (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) followed with a single down the third-base line to drive in the go-ahead runs for a 5-3 lead. TCNJ threatened late with four hits over the final two innings, but Kramer worked out of trouble to secure the split.
UP NEXT:
NJCU returns to action on Tuesday, April 21, hosting the United States Merchant Marine Academy at 3:30 p.m. at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
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