RED BANK, NJ (March 18, 2026) - Georgian Court Baseball and Bridgeport finally got their series underway. On a cold and frigid Wednesday afternoon, the two teams met in Red Bank at Count Basie Park for the first of a three-game set. The opener saw four lead changes, the last coming from the Purple Knights and they made it hold up for an 8-6 win.

How It Happened
• Each team was in double-figure hits with Bridgeport totaling 12 and the Lions 10. 
• GCU did a better job putting the ball in play, striking out just six times in nine innings.
• Both pitching staffs were throwing strikes as both teams walked just three each. The Lions fanned seven and UB six.
• Georgian Court scored two unearned runs on three Bridgeport errors, all three coming on consecutive plays. UB took advantage of two GCU errors scoring a run.
• Frankie Noviello opened the first with a double inside the third base bag. He came in to score on JR Osmond's sacrifice fly for a 1-0 GCU lead.
• Bridgeport got the run back a half inning later as a bases loaded walk brought in a run.
• The Lions grabbed the lead back in the third and again it was Osmond driving in Noviello with a sacrifice fly. 
• Bridgeport took their first lead in the fifth. They put up four runs in the inning, the biggest hit a triple to right.
• The inning was marked with controversy though. A fly ball to left appeared to be caught by Jack Osmond. It was unclear if what popped out after sliding was the ball or a hand warmer and the umpire called no catch as a run scored and the inning continued. When all was said and done, the Purple Knights led 5-2.
• GCU got two back in the home half of the inning. They took advantage of three Bridgeport throwing errors in the inning. The Purple Knights were able to strand two in scoring position and led 5-4 after five.
• After again stranding runners in the sixth, the Lions tied and took the lead in the seventh. A two-out wild pitch plated Brian Guzman with the tying run.
• Jack Osmond gave the Lions the lead back driving in Akhil Penkala with a two-out RBI single to center, putting GCU back on top 6-5.
• In the eighth inning, the lead flipped for the fourth time. A one-out hit by pitch and a single preceded a three-run home run that put Bridgeport back in front, 8-6. 
• Georgian Court brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but the big hit avoided them and Bridgeport held on, 8-6.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Another good start from Michael Zitola, Jr. as he went six innings allowing five runs, four earned, on nine hits with five strikeouts.
• Ryan Basham threw 1.2 scoreless innings allowing a hit and a walk.
• Frankie Noviello scored three runs while picking up a pair of singles.
• JR Osmond drove in two runs on sacrifice flys and had a double.
• Brian Guzman reached base four times with a single, two walks and a hit by pitch. He also stole a base.

For the Purple Knights
• Dominick Weidtman got the win in relief tossing 2.1 shutout innings allowing just a single.
• Matt Wild started and went the first six allowing four runs, two earned on seven hits with five strikeouts.
• Liam O'Neal had the biggest hit, a three-run home run. He finished 1-2 with four RBI.
• Andrew Sinclair had a three-hit day with a double and an RBI.
• Anthony Armenia singled and scored twice.

News and Notes
• The only time GCU struck out fewer than six times in a game this season came in a six-inning rain-shortened game at Pitt-Johnstown. 
• GCU is now 2-3 all-time against the Purple Knights.
• Against the top base-stealing team in the CACC, Georgian Court didn't allow a stolen base and threw out two would-be base-stealers. 

Up Next
• The Lions and Purple Knights are right back at it again tomorrow. They'll play a doubleheader in Bridgeport starting as 12 pm.