March 18, 2006

Box Score

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - The New Jersey Institute of Technology baseball team swept Wayne State University today in a double-header at Port Charlotte Stadium in Port Charlotte Florida. The Highlanders won by scores of 6-5 and 7-6 respectively.

The 6-3 record returning from their Florida trip is the best record the Highlanders have posted in Coach Brian Callahan's tenure as head coach at NJIT.

NJIT got on the board early, scoring one run in the bottom of the third. After Dan Morogiello reached with a singe to left field, shortstop Justin Racz layed down a sacrifice bunt that pushed Morogiello into scoring position. Morogiello stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher giving the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.

Wayne State answered in the top of the fourth when Adwin Springer hit a 2-run homer over the center field wall, giving Wayne State a 2-1 lead.

The Highlanders put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Jeff Potter and Jeff Schaffer hit consecutive sacrifice flies putting the Highlanders up, 3-2. Morogiello followed with his third hit of the game driving in freshman Craig Binkiewicz, giving the Highlanders and insurance run.

The Highlanders scored one run in the fifth inning and another in the sixth, extending the lead to 6-2 going into the top of the seventh.

Wayne State threatened in the top of the seventh scoring three runs, but lefty pitcher Corey Kuzmik struck out the side closing the door on game one of the double-header.

Morogiello led the Highlander offense going 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while teammate Derrick McCain went 2-for-4 with a run in the victory.

Wayne State was lead by first baseman John Weisman, who went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored, while Springer went 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run.

Senior righty Brian Ascolese records his first win of the season pitching five innings, scattering four hits and notching five strikeouts. Reliever Corey Kuzmik entered the game in the top of the fifth inning, striking out five on the way to earning his first save of the season. Anthony Bass records the loss for Wayne State letting up nine hits and striking out two.

Game 2: The Highlanders scored five runs on six hits in the first two innings of game two of the double-header. Jeff Potter led off the second inning when he blasted a doubled to right field. Rookie Craig Binkiewicz hit an RBI single center while Dan Morogiello followed with a double to the fence giving the Highlanders a 4-0 lead. Rob Pietrocola grounded out to the shortstop scoring a run and increasing the Highlander lead to 5-0.

Wayne State recorded two runs in the bottom of the first when Jason Chapieski ran out a grounder to third base. Matt Cunninghan and Bob Schmidt reached base on consecutive bunts loading the bases for Adwin Springer. Springer hit a shot towards center field but Craig Binkiewicz tracked down the deep fly on the warning track. Springer drove in two runs on the sacrifice fly.

Going into the bottom of the seventh the Highlanders were ahead 7-3. Wayne State began its late rally when pinch hitter Adam Shultz hit a lead off homerun. Tim George stepped up to the plate with runners on second and third and smacked a long single to the fence scoring two runs. Sophomore Peter Rivera dug down deep and forced Chris Baroli to ground out to first to end the game.

Justin Racz went 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Morogiello and Pietrocola both went 1-for-4 with two RBI.

Wayne State was led by Scott Martin's 3-for-4 game while teammate Tim George went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Freshman PJ Saporito earned his first collegiate win of the season, pitching five innings and striking out two. Highlanders closer Peter Rivera came to the game in the bottom of the seventh with a runner on first to close the game. Rivera earned his first save of the season in game two. Jon Swartout records the loss pitching four innings, yielding nine highlander hits and striking out one.

The Highlanders return to action when they travel to West Chester on Tuesday, March 21st for a 4pm start.