AUBURNDALE, Fla. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Three pitchers combined on a one-hit shutout as Rochester Institute of Technology defeated New Jersey City University, 9-0, in game three of the NJCU baseball spring trip at the RussMatt College Spring Break Invitational at Lake Myrtle Park on March 11. It was game one of a split-site and opponent doubleheader.
RIT (2-4) had three pitchers combine for 11 strikeouts as the Gothic Knights (0-1) were one-hit for the first time since March 7, 2006 in game two of a doubleheader vs. Bluffton University (4-0 loss) in Florida.
Sophomore left-hander Collin Reformat (Lancaster, N.Y.) went the first 5.0 innings, striking out six while walking five over 86 pitches to win (1-0). Freshman righty Jon Opalewski (Rockaway, N.J.) went 3.0 innings, allowing the lone hit—an eighth-inning one-out double to senior shortstop Nick LoGatto. He struck out four. Freshman righty Matt Vitro (Carmel, N.Y.) threw a scoreless ninth with one strikeout.
Senior righty Sean Gibney pitched well, striking out five (two walks), allowing just three runs and five hits in his first start for NJCU.
NJCU had its chances early because RIT walked six batters. NJCU loaded the bases in the top of the second with two walks and a hit batter but Reformat struck out NJCU's No. 8 and 9 hitters to end the threat.
RIT had three hits, including two doubles by sophomore catcher Kyle Watson (Liverpool, N.Y.) and junior second baseman Nevada Waterman (Coudersport, N.Y.) in the third to break through for a 2-0 lead. NJCU again walked twice in the fourth with one out but stranded both runners.
RIT added a run in the fourth, capitalizing on a hit batter and a walk before a single through the right side for RIT made it 3-0. After the fifth walk of the game in the top of the fifth, NJCU again stranded a runner in scoring position.
The Tigers put the game away with five runs in the sixth as 10 men came to the plate. Freshman designated hitter John Mikolaicyk (Oneonta, N.Y.) and senior center fielder Patrick Mylott (Aurora, Ohio) each hit two-run homers in the inning.
RIT had 11 hits, led by Waterman who was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and one run and Watson who scored three times, batting 2-for-4. Mikolaicyk and Mylott had two RBIs while sophomore shortstop Brad Dippold (St. Mary's, Pa.) walked twice and scored each time. Senior left fielder Daniel Zeglen (Scotia, N.Y.) had two hits.
NJCU was shutout in back-to-back games for the first time since losing to Kean (5-0) and No. 17 TCNJ (4-0) on April 15-16, 2016.
GOTHIC KNIGHTS on SOCIAL MEDIA:
For the latest on NJCU baseball and #NJCUBB, follow the Gothic Knights on social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SnapChat. Preferred hashtags are #GothicGameDay and #GothicFamily.
—www.NJCUGothicKnights.com | @NJCUAthletics—