SWARTHMORE, Pa. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University gave one of the best teams in NCAA Division III baseball all it could handle, but the Gothic Knights stranded 12 runners on base, including the tying run at second in the top of the ninth in a 4-3 loss to No. 5/7 ranked Swarthmore College on March 20.
NJCU (5-4) saw its five-game winning streak snapped despite outhitting the Garnet (9-3), 13-8. Swarthmore has won four straight and eight of its last nine. The Knights stranded runners on base in seven of the nine innings and left two men on in the first, second, fourth, eighth and ninth.
Senior third baseman Tom Pulcine (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) had a great day, batting 4-for-5 with two runs scored and one RBI. Senior shortstop Nick LoGatto (Helmetta, NJ/Spotswood) and junior right fielder Juan Pena (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy) were each 2-for-4 with one RBI while freshman left fielder Leo Colon (Carteret, NJ/St. Anthony (Jersey City)) batted 2-for-3. Rookie first baseman Ricky Voss (Eatontown, NJ/Monmouth Regional) walked twice (1-for-2, one run).
In the top of the ninth, LoGatto singled with one out and Pena was hit by a pitch. LoGatto was caught stealing at third for the second out by Pena took second, still representing the tying run. After a four-pitch walk to senior second baseman Matt Corsi (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East), sophomore designated hitter Brandon Rivera (Aberdeen, NJ/Matawan Regional) struck out swinging to end the game.
Senior left-handed pitcher Kyle McCabe (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) and senior right-handed pitcher Sean Gibney (Rutherford, NJ/Saint Mary-Rutherford) combined for 4.2 innings of shutout relief. McCabe struck out two (one walk) and allowed just two hits in 2.0 innings before Gibney came in and tossed 2.2 innings of no-hit baseball, walking one. Junior lefty TJ MacFarland (Lacey, NJ/Lacey) suffered the loss (0-2), allowing four runs and only six hits in 3.1 innings.
The Garnet were led by junior right fielder Holden Bridge (Temple Terrace, Fla.), who was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Sophomore catcher Sam Jacobson (Ellicott City, Md.) drove in two runs, batting 2-for-3 with a run scored.
NJCU led 1-0 after the top of the first as Pulcine led off with a double, advanced on an RBI single by senior center fielder Jesse Kraft (Nutley, NJ/Saint Mary-Rutherford) and scored on a sacrifice fly by LoGatto. Swarthmore tied it in the bottom of the inning when junior first baseman Cole Beeker (Lexington, N.C.) doubled with one out and scored on a fielder's choice.
Tied 1-1, Swarthmore scored twice on a pair of hits in the bottom of the second. Bridge led off with a single, stole second and scored on a single by Jacobson, who later came in on an RBI single by senior left fielder Charles Levitt (Minneapolis, Minn.).
NJCU drew within 3-2 in the top of the fourth when Voss walked to open the frame, advanced to second and scored on a single to left by Pulcine before the Knights left two men on. The Garnet got the run back for a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Jacobson, knocking in Bridge who led off with a walk. NJCU closed with a run at 4-3 in the top of the seventh when Pulcine led off another inning with a base hit and scored on a two-out double to left by Pena.
On a staff day for Swarthmore, five pitchers threw. Senior righty Charles Groppe (Falls Church, Va.) was the winner (1-0) in a predetermined 4.0 innings. He allowed two runs and eight hits with two K's. Freshman righty Zach Camp (Smyrna, Ga.) went 3.0 innings, allowing a run on three hits. Sophomore righty Owen Webb (Sherborn, Mass.) earned the save, retiring the only batter he faced to end the game.
UP NEXT:
With NJCU's game at Drew on Thursday, March 21 postponed due to rain, the Knights next face Penn State Abington on Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. at Alverthorpe Park in Jenkintown, Pa. The Nittany Lions are 5-8 overall.
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