MADISON, N.J. — New Jersey City University baseball turned an early deficit into a milestone victory Wednesday afternoon, rallying past Saint Elizabeth University, 16-8, to secure head coach Jerry Smith's 200th career win.
The Gothic Knights (11-26-1) fell behind 3-0 over the first two innings as Saint Elizabeth capitalized on timely hitting and small-ball execution. NJCU was held hitless through three frames before breaking through in a decisive fourth inning that shifted the momentum entirely.
After loading the bases with no outs, NJCU got on the board with an RBI single and a bases-loaded walk. With one out, Daniel Kapsch (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) delivered the turning point of the game, sending a triple into right-center field to clear the bases and give the Gothic Knights a 5-3 lead. NJCU continued to pile on in the inning, adding two more runs to take an 8-3 advantage.
From there, NJCU steadily extended its lead. Kapsch remained at the center of the offense, finishing 4-for-6 with four RBIs, while Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) drove in four runs of his own, including a two-run homer in the eighth inning. The Gothic Knights collected 13 hits in the contest, with contributions spread throughout the lineup.
Saint Elizabeth attempted to chip away, cutting the deficit to 8-5 in the seventh inning following a two-run home run. However, NJCU quickly responded with another offensive surge in the eighth. Piacenza's home run sparked the rally, and Justin Dekis (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) added a two-run blast later in the frame as the Gothic Knights pulled away for good.
On the mound, Dovid Solomon (Alon Shvut, Israel/Yeshiva Torah and Artzeinu) earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit over 3.1 innings while helping stabilize the game after the early deficit. NJCU's bullpen combined to limit Saint Elizabeth's opportunities down the stretch.
The Eagles added three runs in the ninth, but the outcome was already in hand as NJCU closed out the win — and a significant coaching milestone.
UP NEXT:
NJCU returns to action Thursday for a home rematch against Saint Elizabeth, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. following its Senior Day celebration.
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