EWING, N.J.- The #23 TCNJ baseball team split in the home doubleheader on Saturday, winning the first 12-0 and losing the second 6-4. The Lions (17-7, 6-3) were solid in game one all-around, but struggled in the field during game two as the Gothic Knights (8-16, 3-6) did not record an earned run in game two.
 
GAME 1: #23 TCNJ 12, NJCU 0
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Following a scoreless first inning, TCNJ drew first blood with four runs in the bottom of the second on six hits.
  • With the bases loaded and one out, Tyler Provost put TCNJ on the board with a single through the left side to score Jack O'Donnell.
  • After a Mike LaGravenis single to drive in Jack Haynes, Justin Marcario drove in Provost and Zach Hochheiser on a two-run single down the left field line to take a 4-0 lead.
• A Hochheiser triple in the bottom of the third drove in Haynes and Ryan Goodall, putting TCNJ ahead 6-0.
• Over the next six innings, SP Ben Amon shoved as the Lions put up another six runs on six more hits as the Lions put the Gothic Knights away in game one.
  • Amon went the distance, throwing a three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts and no walks.

NOTES:

• SP Ben Amon is now second on the all-time strikeouts list at TCNJ with 217 and is 10 away from first.
• Freshman Braden Dromboski recorded his first career hit in the eighth inning with a single through the left side.

STANDOUT LIONS:

• SP Ben Amon (4-0): 9.0 IP, 0R, 8K, 3H, 0BB
• DH Ryan Goodall: 3-for-5, 2RBI, 2R
• 1B Zach Hochheiser: 2-for-4, 3RBI, 1R, BB

 
 
GAME 2: NJCU 6, #23 TCNJ 4
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lions struck first in game two with a run in the bottom of the second on two hits taking an early lead.
  • With one on and one out, Haynes shot a liner into right, driving in Goodall.
• NJCU picked up three runs in the top of the third on a hit and two errors to take a two-run lead. In the bottom half, TCNJ found the equalizer with two runs on three hits.
  • With one on and two outs, Reeder and Goodall hit back-to-back RBI doubles to left, tying the game at three apiece.
• The Gothic Knights retook the lead in the top of the fifth with a run on one hit and an error in the field.
• Reeder found the answer for the Lions once again in the bottom of the fifth with a double to left-center field, scoring Andrew Fernandez.
• A costly error in the field with two outs and two on in the top of the eighth proved to be the difference maker as NJCU held the Lions scoreless through the last four innings to hold on for the 6-4 win.

STANDOUT LIONS:

• Chris Reeder: 3-for-5, 2RBI, 1R
• RP Joe Ferreri: 2.0 IP, 0R, 4K

UP NEXT:

• TCNJ baseball is back in action on Tuesday to face off against Immaculata University with first pitch set for 3:30 PM.