CAMDEN, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University junior left-handed ace DELIO COUTINHO (Colonia, NJ/Colonia), the New Jersey Athletic Conference's strikeout leader was incredible, striking out all four batters he faced in a starting role, including fanning the side swinging in the first inning. But NJCU, faced with the unenviable task of playing six NJAC games in a four-day span due to recent rainouts, was forced to employ the pitcher-by-committee scenario and Coutinho, on his side throwing day, left the game after striking out the first four batters. The Gothic Knights used seven pitchers to get through the contest and the Scarlet Raptors broke open a close game with three runs in the fifth and seven more in the sixth, en route to a 15-5 win over NJCU on April 3 at Campbell's Field.
NJCU, playing its 2014 NJAC opener following a doubleheader postponement on March 29, had its longest winning streak since 2010 snapped at five straight, falling to 6-9 (0-1 NJAC), despite outhitting the Raptors (11-5-1, 2-1 NJAC) by a 14-12 margin. Camden won its second straight to take over first place in the conference early in the season.
Coutinho upped his incredible strikeout pace—now 43K's in 27.2 innings (.208 opposing average)—to 13.99 per nine innings. He now averages 1.67 more strikeouts per game than any other player in the NJAC and ranks among the Top 10 in Division III.
Meanwhile, NJCU lost despite more outstanding play from reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week and sophomore catcher ANDREW NIECH (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) and NJAC Rookie Player of the Week and freshmen first baseman DAN BERARDI (Bridgewater, NJ/Middlesex). Niech extended his hitting streak to 10 games, notching multiple hits for the fifth consecutive game. Berardi had at least three hits in a game for the third consecutive outing, upping his season average to .476 with a 3-for-5, one run performance while stealing his first career base.
NJCU, playing its 2014 NJAC opener following a doubleheader postponement on March 29, had its longest winning streak since 2010 snapped at five straight, falling to 6-9 (0-1 NJAC), despite outhitting the Raptors (11-5-1, 2-1 NJAC) by a 14-12 margin. Camden won its second straight to take over first place in the conference early in the season.
Coutinho upped his incredible strikeout pace—now 43K's in 27.2 innings (.208 opposing average)—to 13.99 per nine innings. He now averages 1.67 more strikeouts per game than any other player in the NJAC and ranks among the Top 10 in Division III.
Meanwhile, NJCU lost despite more outstanding play from reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week and sophomore catcher ANDREW NIECH (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) and NJAC Rookie Player of the Week and freshmen first baseman DAN BERARDI (Bridgewater, NJ/Middlesex). Niech extended his hitting streak to 10 games, notching multiple hits for the fifth consecutive game. Berardi had at least three hits in a game for the third consecutive outing, upping his season average to .476 with a 3-for-5, one run performance while stealing his first career base.
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