JERSEY CITY, N.J.— New Jersey City University baseball could not contain No. 5 Rowan University on Thursday, April 23, falling 11-1 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.

Rowan (26-5, 12-3 NJAC) set the tone early, outhitting NJCU (10-23-1, 2-13 NJAC) 11-7. After a scoreless first inning, Rowan broke through in the second when Jason Schooley launched a two-run home run over the right-field fence, scoring Ian Murphy, who had reached after being hit by a pitch. The Profs then delivered the decisive blow in the third inning, stringing together six hits — including three triples — to extend the lead to 7-0.

NJCU recorded its first hit in the bottom of the third on a single to right-center field by Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) but was unable to generate sustained offensive momentum against Rowan starter Christian Rice. Rice (5-0) limited the Gothic Knights to two hits over five innings, striking out five and keeping NJCU off the scoreboard during his outing.

Nick Chirelli (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) (3-4) took the loss for NJCU, allowing seven runs on seven hits in three innings of work while striking out one. Dovid Solomon (Alon Shvut, Israel/Yeshiva Torah and Artzeinu) provided stability out of the bullpen, tossing a season-high six innings while surrendering four runs on four hits and striking out a season-best three.

Rowan continued to add on in the middle innings. The Profs scored twice in the fourth, taking advantage of a hit batter, a defensive miscue and a sacrifice fly to push the margin to 9-0. In the sixth, Rowan manufactured another run with two singles and aggressive baserunning, stretching the lead to double digits. The Profs capped their scoring in the eighth, using a walk, stolen base and a double to left-center field to make it 11-0.

NJCU avoided the shutout in the ninth inning during a stretch that featured several pinch hitters. Manuel Merchan (San Cristobal, Estado Tachira, Venezuela/Dwight Morrow) singled up the middle, advanced to second on a wild pitch and came around to score on an RBI single by Kenneth Wines (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) to right-center field, marking Merchan's first run of the season.

Shawn Kish (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge) recorded NJCU's lone stolen base of the contest.

Rowan was led offensively by Schooley, who finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Damon Suriani went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Murphy crossed the plate three times and added an RBI. As a team, Rowan totaled two doubles, three triples, a home run and a stolen base.

UP NEXT:

NJCU will look to rebound quickly as it travels to Glassboro, New Jersey, for the second game of the NJAC doubleheader against Rowan on Friday, April 24. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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