JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Freshman right-hander Ray Liguori(Beachwood, N.J./Toms River South) tossed a complete-game gem, allowing no earned runs, and the New Jersey City University baseball took advantage of two breaks and a throwing error in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Gothic Knights rallied for a 3-2 walkoff win over Stockton University in the opening game of a home-and-home New Jersey Athletic Conference series on April 28 at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
NJCU finally cashes in with an NJAC victory, snapping a five-game losing streak to improve to 15-20 (1-14 NJAC). Stockton (7-23, 4-11 NJAC) loses its fifth straight. With rain threatening to interrupt the game, the clubs needed a cozy 1:57 to play nine innings.
Liguori, who was lights out from the third inning on, got NJCU to the bottom of the ninth even at 2-2. Junior catcher CJ Pulcine (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) led off with a chopper back at the mound that Stockton senior righty Mike Bergin (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) tried to barehand. But it redirected away from both middle infielders. Pulcine stole second base before being lifted for a pinch runner in speedy freshman Sean Erhardt (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield).
Junior right fielder Joe Coutinho (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) came up with one out and lined a ball to the second base side of the pitcher that caromed off of Bergin to second base. As Coutinho raced down the line, Stockton senior second baseman Vaughn Champion (Galloway, N.J./Absegami), himself reaching twice during the game on NJCU errors, did not have a chance to throw out Coutinho. But instead of holding onto the ball he rushed the throw to the infield side of first base and that throwing error—the only one of the game for the Ospreys—allowed Erhardt to zip around third with the winning run to set off an NJCU celebration.
Liguori, after struggling with command early in the game, was awesome in the middle and late innings, retiring Stockton in order in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings and 13 in a row.Liguori tossed his second complete game of his rookie campaign to even his record at 3-3 over 132 pitches. In the nine innings, he allowed two unearned runs, scattering six singles and just two after the fourth inning. He struck out six against four walks.
NJCU had nine hits with junior left fielder Nick Ruscingno (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) the offensive star of the game, batting 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI and run scored. He was instrumental in NJCU's first two runs of the game.
Pulcine and junior third baseman Taylor Born (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) each had two hits. Senior designated hitter Andrew Niech (Avenel, N.J./Colonia), the new all-time hits king in NJCU history, added his 50th hit of the season and 201st of his career while tying the all-time games played mark.
Bergin (1-8) pitched well enough to win for Stockton. In 8.1 innings, he allowed three runs (two earned) and nine hits (eight singles) over 114 pitches. He struck out six and walked one. Senior right fielder Matt Poinsett (Ocean Gate, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) was 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Ospreys.
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