Kings Point, NY - John Jay erupted for six runs in the opening inning, but the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy responded with steady offense and capitalized on defensive miscues to defeat the Bloodhounds, 12-6, on Tuesday evening at Bartoszek Field.

John Jay (1-22) jumped on Merchant Marine early, taking advantage of three first-inning errors and timely hitting. After walks by Jaxen Gangwish and Sebastian Sanchez set the table, Jose Suero reached on an error to bring in the game's first run. James Horodyski followed with another error-induced RBI before Jayden Dixon delivered an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0. Lucas Perez drew a bases-loaded walk, Matthew Apostolou added a sacrifice fly, and Gangwish capped the frame with an RBI double as the Bloodhounds surged ahead 6-0.

With the RBI double, Gangwish recorded his 100^th career hit in the process.
 

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Merchant Marine (11-6) answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, drawing three walks and being hit by a pitch to force in four runs and cut the deficit to 6-4. The Mariners continued to chip away, tying the game in the fourth inning when Luke Kruer launched a two-run home run to left field.

The Mariners took control in the sixth. Braden Vazquez scored on a defensive error to give Merchant Marine its first lead, and Kruer followed with an RBI double. A groundout by Tommy Chiappetti plated another run, extending the advantage to 9-6. Merchant Marine added two more runs in the seventh on another error and an RBI single in the eighth from Thomas Byrne to seal the 12-6 final.

Gangwish led John Jay offensively, finishing 1-for-4 with a double, RBI, run scored, walk, and stolen base. Dixon and Perez each drove in a run, while Isaac Salazar and Vincent Gangone added hits for the Bloodhounds. Sanchez reached base three times via walks and scored once.

Merchant Marine was paced by Kruer, who went 2-for-3 with a home run, double, three runs scored, and four RBI. Byrne added two hits and two RBI, while Vazquez scored twice and recorded two hits. Drew Davis also contributed two hits and a run scored as the Mariners tallied 11 hits.

Craig Zuckerman provided 1.2 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts for John Jay, while Thiago Telles was charged with the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) over four innings. Merchant Marine's Eddie Lippert earned the win with two shutout innings and three strikeouts out of the bullpen. 

The Bloodhounds commence CUNYAC play on Friday, April 10 as they will host the Baruch College Bearcats at Jim Hynes Baseball Stadium on the campus of Kean University. 

First pitch is set for noon.