Gerard Moreno had four hits, two RBI and two runs scored in the Ducks' 18-3 win. |
HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 22, 2006) – Freshman pitcher/outfielder Joe Gunshor (Ridgefield, Conn.) highlighted a six-run first inning with his first career grand slam as Stevens Institute of Technology rolled to an 18-3 win over New Jersey City University on Wednesday at Dobbelaar Baseball Field in Hoboken, N.J. Senior outfielder Tim Meehan (Hawthorne, N.J.) added a home run of his own as the Ducks pounded out 15 hits en route to their ninth straight victory.
Stevens (10-2) jumped on the board in the bottom of the first inning as senior pitcher/outfielder Gerard Moreno (Bogota, N.J.) led off with a bunt single down the third-base line. After Meehan was hit by a pitch, junior pitcher/infielder Adam Sandt (Allentown, Pa.) singled through the left side to load the bases. With one out, junior pitcher/infielder Ryan Birkenstock (Smithville, N.J.) and junior infielder Andrew Tesoriero (East Brunswick, N.J.) drew back-to-back walks to force in the first two runs of the game for the Ducks. Gunshor followed with a long home run – his second of the season – to left as the lead ballooned to 6-0.
New Jersey City (8-8) scratched its way back into the game as senior outfielder Keith Naylor (Hamilton, N.J.) drilled a bases-loaded single through the left side to score two runs in the top half of the third. With no outs and runners at first and second, Ducks’ junior pitcher/outfielder Eric McCormick (Edison, N.J.) worked out of further trouble as he retired the next three batters in order.
In the bottom of the fourth, Stevens added a pair of runs as Moreno reached first on a bunt base hit with two outs. Meehan connected on his second homer of the season as the Ducks extended their lead to 8-3.
Stevens put the game out of reach with two more runs in the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, Meehan singled through the right side to score freshman infielder Michael DeCoro (Palisades Park, N.J.). Sandt added a sacrifice fly to center as sophomore catcher David Katusa (Somerset, N.J.) trotted home with the 10th run of the game for Stevens.
The Ducks rounded out the scoring with three runs in the seventh and five more in the eighth.
Moreno led a potent offensive attack with a 4-for-5 effort. He also had two runs batted in, two runs scored, a stolen base and sacrifice fly. Gunshor finished with two hits (including the home run), five RBI and three runs scored. Meehan was 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Sandt collected two hits, an RBI, one run scored and a stolen base. Birkenstock chipped in with two hits, three runs scored and an RBI.
McCormick improved to 2-0 on the year as he allowed five hits and three runs while striking out five batters over six innings of work. Junior pitcher/outfielder Jim Waterman (South Harrison Township, N.J.) and sophomore pitcher Mike Ivey (Budd Lake, N.J.) combined to give up just one hit over three scoreless innings in relief.
NJCU was paced by sophomore third baseman Carlos Suarez (Marlboro, N.J.), who had two hits and an RBI. Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Mike McCormick (North Brunswick, N.J.) added one hit and two runs scored. Sophomore pitcher Marcus Wiggins (Jersey City, N.J.) was saddled with the loss after surrendering nine hits, 10 runs and three walks in six innings. Wiggins fell to 1-2 on the year with the loss.
The Ducks will be back in action on Saturday when they play their Skyline Conference opener against Maritime College at noon. The doubleheader will be played at St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y.
