HOBOKEN, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Senior first basemanAndrew Niech (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) ripped a three-run go-ahead double to left center in the top of the eighth inning as the New Jersey City University baseball team rallied for an exciting 8-6 victory over Stevens Institute of Technology to open the 2016 season in this year's installment of the Light Rail Rivalry.

On a cold, windy night on March 2 at Dobbelaar Field, NJCU (1-0) outhit the host Ducks (3-3), 12-8 and scored all eight runs between the fourth and eighth innings after falling behind 4-0 as the result of four unearned runs in the bottom of the first. Stevens, which had played five previous games, including a road upset of No. 6/5 Kean on February 19, was receiving votes in the latest D3baseball.com Top 25 poll.
 
Niech belted the record 41st double of his career and scored twice, going 1-for-4 while junior designated hitter Nick Ruscingno (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) had a fine season debut, batting 4-for-5 with two runs, two stolen bases and one RBI.
 
Junior shortstop Zach Buchholz (Colonia, NJ/John F. Kennedy Memorial-Iselin) was 2-for-5 with a run and RBI and junior transfer catcher CJ Pulcine (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) went 2-for-5 in his first game for his new school. Junior right fielder Joe Coutinho (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) had two RBIs and sophomore center fielder Dmitri Rueger (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) scored twice.
 
Sophomore right-hander Jose Ortiz (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy) won in relief. In 5.0 innings he struck out five against two walks and allowed two hits and two runs. Freshman right-hander Ray Liguori (Beachwood, NJ/Toms River South) got the ball to start the season and did not allow an earned run against six hits in four innings. He walked five and struck out one.

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http://njcugothicknights.com/news/2016/3/2/201603-02_BASEBALL_at_Stevens.aspx