March 17, 2006

Box Score

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - The New Jersey Institute of Technology's baseball team split a double-header to East Stroudsburg in Port Charlotte Florida Friday afternoon at Charlotte Stadium. East Stroudsburg grabbed the first game 8-5, while the Highlanders took the second game 7-6 in eight innings. NJIT finished the day 4-3, while ESU finished 12-5.

East Stroudsburg struck first in the bottom of the second inning when left fielder Kyle Sheaffer hit a triple to the fence. Freshman catcher Blake Knecht reached first on an error by Highlander shortstop, when shortstop Dave Manter singled to left field. Jacob DoBoer hit a laser over the left fielders head scoring two runs. After two innings of work ESU lead 3-0.

The Highlanders dug down deep in the top of the third scoring two runs and closing the gap. Second baseman Dan Morogiello and Justin Racz both hit back-to-back singles to left field. Junior Derrick McCain reached first on a fielder's choice but was later picked off by pitcher Jay Grobelny. Austin DeRogatis reached on an error by the second baseman loading the bases for sophomore Rob Pietrocola. Pietrocola hit his second single of the day and drove in a run putting the Highlanders on the board. Matt Schlitter reached on a fielder's choice, improving the score to 3-2 ESU.

NJIT tied the game 3-3 in the top of the fourth inning, when freshman PJ Saporito started the inning off with a walk, and senior left fielder Anthony D'Agosta put a sacrifice bunt down the first baseline getting the job done and moving Saporito over to second. Justin Racz reached first on an error by the shortstop and Saporito took an extra base on the error crossing the plate and tying the game at three.

ESU rallied in the bottom of the fifth when centerfielder Josh Butler led off the inning with a triple to right field. Third baseman Kevin Thompson hit an RBI single to left field taking a 4-3 lead. Matt Zumbach reached first on an error by the shortstop, while Kirk Muller hit a rocket to the fence scoring two runs and legging out a triple. ESU took a 6-3 lead.

The Highlanders fought back in the top of the seventh scoring two runs on one hit and one error. Relief pitcher Bill Pasqualichio was too much for the Highlanders and closed out the game retiring the side.

Pietrocola led the Highlanders offense hitting 3-for-4 and scoring a run, while Schlitter hit 1-for-3 with two RBI. For ESU, Dave Manter went 2-for-3 with one run while DoBoer hit 2-for4 with one run and two RBI.

Senior Chris Legiadre records the loss pitching four innings, letting up 10 hits and striking out two, while Pasqualichio earns the win improving his record to 3-0. Pasqualichio pitched six innings, letting up six hits, walking two and striking out four. Legiadre falls to 1-1. Game 2: The Highlanders took game two in the bottom of the eighth when relief pitcher Bill Pasqualichio loaded the bases. Pasqualichio had a three-two count on Austin DeRogatis and walked in the game winning run.

Dan Morogiello got the Highlanders going in the bottom of the first when he led the game off with a single. Justin Racz reached base getting hit by a pitch while Derrick McCain followed him with a walk loading the bases for Rob Pietrocola. A passed ball by pitcher Dave Boyer with the bases loaded scoring Morogiello from third. Pietrocola hit a sacrifice fly to right field sending home Racz, giving the Highlanders a 2-0 jump.

ESU answered in the top of the second when they posted five runs on three hits. With two outs Highlander pitcher Rob Forbes walked back-to-back batters putting runners in scoring position for ESU. Jacob DeBoer and Kyle Scheaffer hit consecutive singles, to start the scoring rally. Center fielder Josh Butler capped the ESU inning with a 3-run homer over the center field wall to make the lead 5-2.

The Highlanders tied the game for the first time in the bottom of the sixth when rookie Garrett Hauck started off the inning with a triple to center field. Freshman Craig Binkiewicz hit an RBI single to right field while Morogiello followed with his second single of the game. McCain hit an RBI single of his own knotting the game at six.

For the Highlanders Dan Morogiello went 3-for-5 in game two, scoring once. Teammate Craig Binkiewcz hit 2-for-3 with one RBI. ESU's Josh Butler went 2-for-2 with one run and three RBI.

Freshman Chris Parenti earned his second win of the season pitching three innings, and striking out two. Bill Pasqualichio records the loss striking out three.

The Highlanders will play Wayne State University on March 18th for a 12:00pm double-header at Charlotte Stadium.