Jefferson Splits Doubleheader with Caldwell in Hard-Fought Series
CALDWELL, N.J. – The Thomas Jefferson University baseball team (13-6) faced off against Caldwell (9-5) in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) matchup on Tuesday. The Rams put on an offensive showcase in game one with a commanding 19-6 victory but fell just short in a 4-3 loss in game two.
WHAT HAPPENED
GAME ONE: W, 19-6
- Jefferson wasted no time in the opener, exploding for six runs in the first inning to take control of the game. Joshua Lopez delivered a key two-run double, while Thomas Matuszews added a two-run single to give the Rams an early lead.
- Javon Hernandez extended the lead with a solo home run in the second, and a dominant third inning saw Jefferson plate six more runs, putting the game out of reach. A five-run fifth inning, featuring RBI doubles from Thomas Matuszews and Julio Frometa Gomez, secured the win.
- Tyler Sickles (1-0) was dominant on the mound, striking out nine batters over six innings while limiting Caldwell's offense.
QUICK HITS
Jay Kalieta: 3-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2B
Joshua Lopez: 2-for-5, 4 RBI, 2B, SB
Thomas Matuszews: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2B
Javon Hernandez: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 SB
Julio Frometa Gomez: 2-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B
Luis Beato Mora: 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, 2 SB
Tyler Sickles: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 9 K, 6 BB
GAME TWO: L, 4-3
- Jefferson battled in a back-and-forth second game but fell in a tough walk-off loss.
- Caldwell struck first, capitalizing on an error in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Rams responded in the third when Javon Hernandez doubled to bring home Justin Egner, tying the game at 1-1.
- In the fourth, Jefferson took a 3-2 lead after an RBI single from Lou Spadafora and an unearned run on a defensive miscue. However, Caldwell evened the score in the bottom half of the inning.
- The game remained locked until the seventh, when Caldwell delivered a walk-off single to seal the victory. Albert Bobadilla took the loss despite a strong relief effort, allowing just one earned run over 3.1 innings.
QUICK HITS
Justin Egner: 1-for-1, 1 R, RBI, SB
Javon Hernandez: 1-for-2, 2B, RBI, SB
Lou Spadafora: 2-for-3, RBI
Gabe Silva: 2 BB, SB
Albert Bobadilla: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
UP NEXT
The Rams return to action at the Bill Giles Invitational in West Chester, PA. on March 24th at 3 p.m. as Jefferson takes on West Chester University.