THROGGS NECK, NY (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Sophomore first baseman Dan Berardi (Bridgewater, NJ/Middlesex) had a two-run game-tying double as part of a five-run outburst in the seventh inning as the New Jersey City University baseball team overcame a 5-2 deficit and won for the 11th time with a 7-5 victory over Maritime College under the lights on March 30.
At 11-4 overall, NJCU owns its best record after 15 games since opening the 1980 season 11-3-1 (and 12-3-1 after 16 games). It's the second best start to a season in the 69-year history of the program. The 1962 conference championship team was 9-3 in a 12-game season. The Knights have won four consecutive games and for the fifth time in six games. The Privateers fell to 11-6.
In a game originally scheduled to be played in Jersey City but moved to Maritime's Reinhart Baseball Field to accommodate the Privateers' academic schedule, the clubs were even at 2-2 through five innings before Maritime scored three in the bottom of the sixth.
Sophomore righty Anthony Keri (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex), who was the third of five pitchers used, made his ninth relief appearance of the season, entering the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth. Keri was credited with the win (1-0) after he struck out the only batter he faced looking on a 2-2 pitch.
Berardi batted 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs and was the lone Gothic Knight with multiple hits. Senior designated hitter Andrew Niech (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) reached base twice and his 178th career hit gave him sole possession of third place in school history.
Junior right fielder Joe Coutinho (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) walked twice. Junior third baseman Zach Buchholz (Colonia, NJ/John F. Kennedy Memorial-Iselin) extended his on-base streak to 32 consecutive games.
Once NJCU gained the lead, junior righty Joe Stone (Piscataway, NJ/John F. Kennedy Memorial-Iselin) bridged the seventh and eighth innings. In those two frames, he did not allow a hit, striking out two with two walks (one hit batter).
Last week's New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie Pitcher of the Week, freshman righty Ray Liguori(Beachwood, NJ/Toms River South), claimed his first collegiate save when he mowed down the Privateers 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth, including two strikeouts.
Sophomore righty Jason Szurlej (Linden, NJ/Linden) started for NJCU, lasting 5.0 innings (three earned runs, four hits, five walks, two strikeouts) in a no decision.
Maritime designated hitter Stephen Semier was the lone Privateer with multiple hits (2-for-4). Nick Fortunato, the fourth of five pitchers used for Maritime, lost for the first time (3-1). In 2.2 innings, he allowed two runs and three hits with a walk.
http://www.njcugothicknights.com/news/2016/3/31/201603-30_BASEBALL_at_Maritime.aspx