March 13, 2006

Box Score

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - The New Jersey Institute of Technology's baseball team split a double-header with Minnesota-Duluth in Port Charlotte, Florida today. The Highlanders grabbed the first game 5-2, while the Bulldogs took the second game 16-1. Highlanders finish the day 2-2, while the Bulldogs finish at 2-8.

Game 1: The Highlanders struck first in the bottom of the first when left fielder Rob Pietrocola hit an RBI single to right field with runners on first and second taking a 1-0 lead.

The Bulldogs answered in the top of third when they knocked in two runs. Tony Dorerty led off the innings with a walk then stole second. Center fielder Greg Aker hit an RBI single to center field scoring Doherty from second and tied the game 1-1. Second baseman Andrew Heieie hit a double to the wall scoring Aker from first and adding an insurance run for the Bulldogs, taking a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth NJIT tied the game for the second time today 2-2 when rookie Garrett Hauck smacked a single to right field scoring Jeff Potter from second. The bases were loaded for shortstop Justin Racz, when pitcher Adam Templin threw a ball that got pass the catcher, scoring Hauck from third and moving the runners up a base. Bulldogs pitcher Templin walked the next four batters, walking in two runs and giving the Highlanders, 5-2 lead.

For the Highlanders, both Hauck and Pietrocola hit 2-for-3 with an RBI. The Bulldogs were led by Aker hitting 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.

Freshman pitcher Chris Parenti earns his first win as a Highlander pitching 3 ½ innings, striking out four and letting up three hits while Adam Trempline records the loss. Trempline pitched 3 ½ innings letting up six hits, five runs, and striking out two.

Game 2: The Highlanders got off to a quick start in game two when sophomore Derrick McCain lined a single to right field. First baseman Austin DeRogatis took first when he was hit by a pitch. Rob Pietrocola hit an RBI single to center field scoring McCain and giving the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.

In the next four innings for the Bulldogs they posted 11 runs on the board on three hits and one error, pushing the Bulldog lead to 11-1. The Highlanders threatened in the bottom of the sixth with bases loaded but Bulldog pitcher Cole Hytjan dug down deep and struck out the side.

The Bulldogs posted another five runs in the top of the seventh widening the gap to 16-1.

For the Highlanders, sophomore Rob Pietrocoloa went 2-for-2 with one RBI, while Justin Racz and Matt Schlitter both went 1-for-3. Shawn Lindsay led the offense for the Bulldogs hitting 4-for-5 with four runs, while right fielder Brian Bataglia hit 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs.

Rookie pitcher PJ Saporito records his first loss of the season pitching 3 ½ innings letting up six hits, six runs, and striking out four while, Cole Hytjan pitched a complete game earning the win. Hytjan let up seven hits and struck out six Highlanders.

The Highlanders return to action March 15th when they take on St. Thomas Aquinas at Charlotte Stadium for a 12:30 start.