March 15, 2006

Box Score

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - With four runs in the top of the ninth inning, the New Jersey Institute of Technology's baseball team beat St. Thomas Aquinas, 10-8 on a breezy sunny afternoon in Port Charlotte Florida. The win improves NJIT to 3-2.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the third when the Highlanders posted five runs. Rookie Craig Binkiewicz started off the inning with a single to left field, but was later picked off first by pitcher Chris Skrypack. Skrypack then walked the next three batters loading the bases for first baseman Austin DeRogatis. DeRogatis hit a single to left field, scoring two runs. Junior Derrick McCain crossed the plate on an error by left fielder Kevin Sharpe, as DeRogatis went to third on the throw. Sophomore Rob Pietrocola ripped a triple to the fence giving the Highlanders a 5-0 lead.

The Spartans rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning, when they posted four runs on three hits. Jason Pominski reached base on an error by the third baseman, while TJ Varccichio walked. Varccichio and Pominski pulled off a double steal on the following pitch. The Spartans scored their first run on a wild pitch by Peter Rivera. Senior James Conigliaro grounded out to first, scoring Varccichio from third. Lefty John Muller and junior Ryan Polacco both hit back-to-back RBI singles to right field that cut the lead to 6-4.

In the bottom of the seventh the Spartans came knocking once again, when Pominski led off the inning with a single to center field. Varccichio reached first on an error by the pitcher putting runners on first and second. Conigliaro hit an RBI single down the left field line while designated hitter Marquis Lewis grounded out to second scoring Varccichio and tying the game, 6-6.

The Highlanders threatened in the top of the ninth when they notched four runs on the board and took a 10-6 lead. Shortstop Justin Racz reached first getting hit by a pitch while DeRogatis hit his second single of the day putting runners on first and second for left fielder Pietrocola. Piertrocola had the hot bat this afternoon and kept the Highlanders going when he ripped his second single of the day to the fence scoring Racz and moving to second on the throw home. Third baseman Matt Schlitter hit a sacrifice fly to center giving the Highlanders a 9-6 lead. The Highlanders weren't finished though, senior catcher Jeff Potter came up to the plate and hit an RBI single to center and took second on the throw. An error by the shortstop and third baseman, allowed Potter to cross the plate and give the Highlanders a 10-6 lead going into the bottom of the ninth.

The Spartans came up to bat in the bottom of the ninth and scored two runs. Kuzmik picked off Chris Hayes at first base with to end the game.

The Highlanders were led by Binkiewicz going 3-for-4 with a run while Piertrocola hit 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Conigliaro led the Spartan offence hitting 1-for-3 with three RBI on the day.

Freshman rookie Matt Melody started out the game giving the Highlanders 5 innings, and striking out three before being relieved by Peter Rivera. Corey Kuzmick followed Rivera and earned the win pitching three innings and striking out three. Jonathan Della Monico records the loss for the Spartans, letting up four hits, four runs, and striking out three.

The Highlanders will face East Stroudsburg on Friday March 17th for a 12:00pm double-header at Charlotte Stadium.