GROVELAND, FL (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Senior right-hander Nelson Maldonado (Newark, NJ/St. Mary's (Jersey City)) fired a complete-game four-hitter for his first career shutout and the game ended on a dramatic play at the plate as junior left fielder Andrew Rivera (Edison, NJ/Edison) hit the relay throw to third baseman Juan Cruz (Jersey City, NJ/St. Mary's (Jersey City)) setting up a perfect throw to sophomore catcher Mike Casiano (Newark, NJ/North 13th Street) who applied the game-ending tag as New Jersey City University edged Daniel Webster College, 1-0, in a pitcher's duel to open the 2012 baseball spring trip played at South Lake High School.
NJCU won its first game (1-1) and made first-year head coach Jerry Smith a winner for the first time. Daniel Webster (0-1) was making its 2012 debut after winning 20 games in 2011. It was the first meeting between the schools since a 13-5 NJCU win in 2001. The game was the first of eight for NJCU at the Russ Matt College Spring Break Invitational.
The 1-0 win was only the second 1-0 victory on record in the 65-year history of the program and the first since defeating Rhode Island College by that score in 1974—38 years ago.Maldonado (1-0), who tossed his third consecutive complete game dating back to wins over Montclair State University (April 27, 2011) and Centenary College (May 3, 2011) to end his junior season, was in complete control, allow just four singles in his nine innings and 73 of his 104 pitches went for strikes. He struck out four and walked none (three hit batters) and possessed a two-hitter entering the ninth inning before sealing his fourth career complete game.