JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Senior right-hander WENDELL RODRIGUEZ(Ponce, Puerto Rico/County Prep) allowed just two earned runs in seven innings and tied the New Jersey City University baseball program's career wins record after the bullpen worked into and out of trouble in the top of the ninth, stranding the tying runs in scoring position, as NJCU held off SUNY College at Old Westbury, 8-6, in non-conference action on March 21 at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
 
Old Westbury scored three runs on two hits and two errors in the top of the ninth and sophomore righty KEVIN DEMAURO (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) loaded the bases with no outs, but coerced three consecutive ground outs to himself on the mound to end the game, including several off-balance defensive stops to leave the tying runs on second and third base.
 
NJCU (7-4) won its fourth consecutive game to move three games above .500 for the first time since March 10, 2009. After having its last three games cancelled or postponed by inclement weather in Florida and New Jersey, the Gothic Knights were playing for the first time in 10 days and making their 2013 home opener. Old Westbury (3-7) stranded 12 runners in the game and lost its fifth in a row.
 
On a cold day with temperatures in the mid-30s and wind chills much less, Rodriguez improved to 2-1 while making his fifth start in 11 games this season for NJCU. In seven innings, he allowed two earned runs (three total) and six hits with three strikeouts while walking six over 130 pitches.Rodriguez, who picked off two runners in the game, improved to 12-13 in a career where he often has been matched up against the best teams in the NJAC and region, and becomes the fifth pitcher in school history to win a record 12 games.

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