BUENA VISTA, VA (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | In the earliest season-opener in the 66-year history of the New Jersey City University baseball program, the Gothic Knights led 11-9 going to the bottom of the ninth inning. But NJCU committed three errors without producing an out and Southern Virginia University rallied with three runs, including a game-winning squeeze play as SVU edged the Knights, 12-11, in a game at Parry McCluer High School on February 15.
 
SV entered the game having outscored its opponents, 80-8, in its first four games of the season, and improved to 5-0. NJCU is 0-1.
 
The game was the earliest contest played in NJCU history and only the second date ever played during the month of February. The earliest previous opener was a February 21, 2009 doubleheader at Farmingdale State College.
 
The loss spoiled solid season debuts by several Gothic Knights. Senior second baseman PETE SENYSZYN (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) was 2-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored batting in the No. 2 slot and freshman catcher ANDREW NIECH (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) was 2-for-5 with two RBIs, a triple and one run. Senior center fielder MICHAEL PATTERSON (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) was 2-for-3 with three runs, two steals and a triple in a leadoff role.
 
Also for NJCU, junior left fielder ANDREW RIVERA (Edison, NJ/Edison) was 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI. Sophomore shortstop MICHAEL MARTUCCI (Bayonne, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) hit what appeared to be a key solo homerun to lead off the top of the ninth, extending NJCU's margin to two runs. He had two runs in the game. Junior designated hitter MATT MATLOSZ (Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) produced two RBIs.
 
SV was led by senior rightfielder Tyler Cox (Forest, Miss.) with a 3-for-5 effort, highlighted by four RBIs, a two-run seventh inning homerun, and a double. Junior shortstop Stevenson (Muskogee, OK) scored four times and was 3-for-5 with three runs and a pair of doubles.
 
Also for the hosts, sophomore second baseman CJ Andrus (Federal Way, WA) was 3-for-4 with two runs. Senior third baseman Trager Hintze (Purcell, OK), senior catcherBarrett Price (Georgetown, SC), and senior left fielder Robert Key (Flower Mound, TX) each were 2-for-5 for the host Knights.
 
In relief, sophomore right-hander Thomas Rudd (Edmond, OK) earned the win to improve to 2-0. He faced six batters in 1.2 innings, allowing one run and one hit with a strikeout. Junior left-hander Tyler King (San Ramon, CA) started for the Knights, allowing four earned runs (eight total) and 10 hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 6.2 innings. Freshman righty Jonathan Hodges (Cleveland, TN) pitched two-thirds of an inning.
 
Sophomore righty KEVIN DEMAURO (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) was charged with the hard-luck loss (0-1), allowing two unearned runs in the ninth, against two hits and a walk without recording an out.

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