Boxscore

Jersey City, NJ – Stockton University (7-23, 4-11 NJAC) suffered a 3-2 defeat to New Jersey City (15-20, 1-14) on an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth. Matt Poinsett (Ocean Gate/Msgr. Donovan) stroked two of Stockton's six hits and produced an RBI. The game was played in a brisk 1:57 as both starters tossed complete games.
 
The Gothic Knights struck first, using two singles, a balk and a sacrifice fly to go ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first. Stockton responded with two unearned runs on two hits, two errors and a walk in the top of the second.
 
Poinsett and Zach Gustites (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) delivered RBI singles while Vaughn Champion (Galloway/Absegami) and Nick LaPorta (Pompton Plains/Pequannock) scored the runs in the inning as the Ospreys leapt into a 2-1 lead.
 
Both teams threatened in the third inning but left two runners on base apiece. Poinsett singled and stole second in the fourth stanza before the game settled into a pitchers' duel. The teams combined for just one run and two hits, all by NJCU from the bottom of the fourth through the end of the eighth inning. A single tally in the sixth pulled the Gothic Knights into a 2-2 tie.
 
Stephen Struble (Hammonton/Hammonton) and LaPorta each singled in the top of the ninth but an inning-ending double play ended the scoring chance. In the bottom of the ninth, CJ Pulcine led off with a single and later stole second with one out. Pulcine was lifted for pinch-runner Sean Erhardt who scored the game-winning run on a throwing error to deal Stockton the 3-2 defeat.
 
Stockton pitcher Mike Bergin (Middletown/Middletown South) came through with another strong outing despite the outcome. Bergin allowed three runs, the last of which was unearned, on nine hits with six strikeouts. The senior threw 114 pitches on the way his third complete game of the season.
 
Stockton will host New Jersey City tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in the back half of the home-and-home series.