March 12, 2006

Box Score

CAPE CORAL, FL - The New Jersey Institute of Technology's baseball team opened up their 2006 season splitting a double-header to Minnesota-Duluth in Cape Coral Florida today. The Highlanders grabbed the first game 13-4, while the Bulldogs took the second game 11-2. Highlanders finish the day 1-1, while the Bulldogs finished at 1-7.

Game 1: The Highlanders got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning, when shortstop Justin Racz singled to center field. Racz, then stole second and third, and scored on the throw down to third giving the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.

Highlanders came knocking once again in the top of the third when seniors Jeff Potter and Anthony D'Agosta both reached on back to back singles in the top of the third. Bulldogs pitcher John Letich threw a past ball moving Potter and D'Agosta over. Potter then scored on a wild pitch by Letich while D'Agosta moved over to third in scoring position. Second baseman Dan Morogiello, hit a ground out to the shortstop scoring D'Agosta. Letich then walked the next three batters loading the bases for sophomore Rob Pietrocola. Letich dug down deep and struck out Pietrocola, but then hit Mike Turner scoring Racz from third widening the gap to 4-0.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom of third when left fielder Tony Doherty led the inning off with a walk. Center fielder Greg Aker knocked one over the fence closing the gap to 4-2. Chris Legiardre then retired the side.

The Highlanders posted seven runs on five hits in the fifth and sixth innings improving the score to 11-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs tallied two runs on the scoreboard. Doherty led off with single to left field, while Luke Korneta hit into a fielder's choice. Pinch hitter Brian Bataglia and designated hitter Andrew Heiei hit consecutive RBI doubles to the fence. Cory Kuzmick then struck out the side to end the game.

Potter hit a perfect 4-for-4 with 4 RBI and two runs, while D'Agosta went 3-for-4 with three runs and one RBI. Racz posted two hits on three at bats with two runs, two RBI and two stolen bases.

For the Bulldogs Greg Aker hit a perfect 2-for-2 with a homer and two RBI. Andrew Heiei went 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Senior pitcher Chris Legiardre earns his first win of the season pitching five innings, giving up five hits and striking out four while John Letich records his second loss striking out two and letting up three hits.

Game 2: In the second game of the double header, NJIT took an early 2-0 lead when freshman PJ Saporito came up to bat for the first time in his collegiate career and smacked a two-run homer over the center field fence.

The Bulldogs rallied in the bottom of the fourth scoring 6 runs. Second baseman Nick Volkman came up to bat with bases loaded and hit a grand slam over the right field fence, giving the Bulldogs a 5-2 lead. Center fielder Greg Aker followed the grand slam with a triple to the fence, while designated hitter Kyle Zweber singled to center adding another run on the board.

In the bottom of the fifth the Bulldogs made a push scoring five taking an 11-2 lead.

For the Highlanders PJ Saporito hit 1-for-3 with two RBI while Racz and Austin DeRogatis both went 1-for-3.

Nick Volkman led the way for the Bulldogs hitting 1-for-2 with five RBI and two runs, while left fielder Shawn Lindsay hit 2-for-4 with two runs in the win.

Luke Hagman pitched a complete game recording the win, letting up five hits and striking out nine. Senior Rob Forbes records the loss in 3 ½ innings striking out seven and walking one.

The Highlanders will face Minnesota-Duluth tomorrow in another double-header in Port Charlotte, Florida for a 2pm start.