March 21, 2006

Box Score

WEST CHESTER, PA - The New Jersey Institute of Technology baseball team fell 5-4 today to West Chester University.  The Golden Rams improve their record to 8-8 while your Highlanders fall to 6-4.

NJIT got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning with runners on first and second when third baseman Mike Turner hit an infield single. A bobble by the shortstop advanced Matt Schlitter to score the first run for the Highlanders.

West Chester answered by adding a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Sean Bond singled to left field and advanced to second on a ground out by Kyle Guers.  Bond took third on a passed ball and scored on a grounder to the left side of the field, tying the game 1-1.

The Highlanders added an insurance run in the top of the third when Turner hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Derrick McCain and going back on top 2-1.

The Golden Rams posted three runs on two hits and two errors in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-2 lead.

Sophomore Rob Pietrocola hit a rocket over the center fielders head legging out a double and scoring Justin Racz from second.  The Highlanders came within one run at the end of the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the seventh and a runner on first base, shortstop Joey Yeuger hit a double to the wall adding another run on the board for West Chester and pulling ahead 5-3.

The Highlanders threatened in the top of the ninth inning, scoring one run but stranding two base runners.

Rookie pitcher Matt Melody records the loss, falling to 1-1.  Melody pitched five innings, scattering six and striking out two. David Slusser earns the win for the Golden Rams letting up seven hits and striking out three. 

Leading the Highlander offense was Turner hitting 2-for-3 with an RBI. Golden Ram Matt Cotellese was 2-for-4 on the day and one stolen base while teammate Mark Gilliford went 2-for-3.

The Highlanders return to action tomorrow when they take on Bloomfield College at 4:00 pm at Commerce Bank Park in Somerset, NJ.