Ryan Birkenstock's two-run double in the bottom of the 10th inning capped the Stevens comeback.

HOBOKEN, N.J. – Sophomore third baseman Ryan Birkenstock’s (Smithville, N.J./Absegami) two-run double in the bottom of the 10th inning rallied Stevens Institute of Technology to a 4-3 win over New Jersey City University on Friday afternoon at the Dobbelaar Baseball Field.

Stevens (8-7) earned its third extra-inning win of the season.  The Ducks have played five extra-inning games in their last seven games, including four in the last week.  New Jersey City, which had its three-game winning streak snapped, falls to 5-8.

Stevens trailed the entire way before tying the game in the bottom of the ninth.  New Jersey City jumped ahead in the top of the first inning on a fielders choice ground ball from sophomore first baseman Javan Camacho.  Camacho came home on a sacrifice fly by freshman designated hitter Aqueel Shahid in the fourth to put the Gothic Knights in front 2-0.

Stevens got one run back in the bottom of the fifth on a leadoff home run to left field by freshman first baseman John Frustaci (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Paramus Catholic).  It was Frustaci’s third home run of the season.

The Ducks threatened in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with two out.  But Gothic Knight freshman right-hander Jonathan Olmo (0-3) came in and retired pinch hitter Andrew Tesoriero on a fly ball to right to end the threat.

Stevens sophomore left fielder Eric McCormick (Edison, N.J./J.P. Stevens) singled to open the bottom of the ninth inning.  After freshman catcher David Katusa (Franklin Township, N.J./Franklin Township) bunted McCormick over to second, freshman first baseman Dan Louis (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) delivered the game-tying hit, a double to left-center field, which tied the score at 2-2 and sent the game into extra innings.

New Jersey City wasted little time in recapturing the lead.  Freshman center fielder Rob Sumner (Union, N.J./Union) led off the 10th inning with a home run to left off Stevens closer Adam Sandt (2-0).  Sumner’s home run was the first hit that Sandt had allowed in 6.1 innings of relief this season.

Stevens answered in the bottom of the 10th.  Junior center fielder Tim Meehan (Hawthorne, N.J./Hawthorne), who went 3-for-4, led off with a triple into the left-center field gap.  Sandt drew a walk and then stole second, giving the Ducks two runners in scoring position.  Birkenstock connected for a game-winning ground-rule double to center, driving in Meehan and Sandt with the tying and winning runs.

Stevens received another strong effort from its bullpen.  Louis, freshman Scott Picerno (Bayonne, N.J./Hudson Catholic) and Sandt surrendered just one run in a combined six innings of work.  In his first start of the season, McCormick gave up two unearned runs in four innings.  He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

For New Jersey City, sophomore right-hander Rob Motacki allowed just one run while scattering eight hits in 7.2 innings of work.

Stevens is back in action on Wednesday, March 30, when it travels to Madison, N.J., for a 3 p.m. game at Drew University.