Late Game Rally Lifts Baseball to Non-Conference Split with NJCU

Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's University (L.I.) baseball was powered by an eight-run sixth inning for a 13-6 win in game two against New Jersey City University at Gregg Alfano Stadium on Tuesday evening. The Golden Eagles dropped the front end of the non-conference doubleheader 11-4.

The split moves SJLI to 16-11 on the season as the Gothic Knights now sit at 12-23.

Game One: SJCLI 4, NJCU 11

The Golden Eagles were first to score in the bottom of the third when Paul Gugliuzzo (1-for-4, RBI) singled through the right side to score Phil Krpata (2-for-3, 2R, RBI) who walked earlier in the inning.

NJCU sent eight to the plate in the top half of the fourth producing four runs and added one more in the fifth taking a 5-1 lead.

Krpata blasted a solo shot to right in the bottom of the fifth, but the Gothic Knights responded with a six-run sixth to widen the gap, 11-2. The Golden Eagles pushed two runs across in the bottom half of the six, but ultimately fell 11-4.

NJCU's Riley Morrow earned the win allowing four hits on nine hits with three strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work SJLI's Sean Brody was dealt the loss allowing fiving runs on six hits in five innings.

Game Two: SJLI 13, NJCU 6

An NJCU two-run home run opened the scoring in the top of the first before an SJLI sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the inning cut the deficit in half.

The Gothic Knights went on to plate single runs in the second and third innings before stringing together four hits for two runs in the fourth extending their lead to 6-1.

Three consecutive singles opened the bottom of the fourth followed by an RBI triple from John Thatcher (2-for-4, 2R, RBI) and an RBI bunt single by Krpata (4-for-5, 2R, 3RBI), the Golden Eagles inched to within two, 6-4.

A run in the fifth brought the score to 6-5 before St. Joseph's sent 12 Golden Eagles to the plate for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth. Five-straight hits started the inning highlighted by a two-RBI double to the centerfield wall from Brian Forbes (1-for-3, R, 2RBI) and an RBI single from Ryan Decoursey (2-for-3, 2R, 2RBI). An NJCU error on a fielder's choice led to a pair of unearned runs and chased reliever Frank Shipman from the game. A wild pitch and Krpata's second hit of the inning added three more runs to the board giving the Golden Eagles the 13-6 advantage.

SJLI's Josh Dannenberg (1-0) got NJCU's Matt Kaliske to ground out into a double play to end the game and secure his first win of the season. The freshman came on in relief of Peter Manger allowing just two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts in four innings of relief.

The Golden Eagles return to Gregg Alfano Field to wrap Skyline Conference play on Saturday, April 30 when they host SUNY Purchase. Game one is set to start at 11:00 am.