April 12, 2006

Box Score Box Score

LYNDHURST, NJ - The New Jersey Institute of Technology baseball team swept a doubleheader with Bloomfield College Wednesday afternoon at Breslin Field, taking the first game 5-0, and rallying in the sixth inning of the second game to pull ahead of the Deacons 9-7.

The sweep of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader improves the Highlanders to 13-11 overall and 6-7 in the conference. Bloomfield falls to 12-20 overall and 4-6 in the conference.

NJIT jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second when designated hitter Matt Schlitter reached first on an error by Deacon pitcher Joe O'Donnell. Junior Mike Turner looped a single into left field while Austin DeRogatis put down a sacrifice bunt moving the runners over. Right fielder Rob Piertrocola grounded out to shortstop recording the first Highlander run of the day. Jeff Potter followed belting an RBI double down the left field line pushing NJIT in front.

In the top of the third, Craig Binkiewicz led off with a single to right field and then stole second. Senior Justin Racz reached on an error by the shortstop advancing Binkiewicz home.

Justin Racz and Derrick McCain got the Highlanders going in the top of the fifth inning when they hit back-to-back singles to right field. Third baseman Mike Turner hit an RBI single to left field scoring Racz and extending the Highlander lead to 4-0.

NJIT added another run in the sixth on a wild pitch by relief pitcher Edward Gryzeski.

Leading the Highlanders offense was, Schlitter and Turner both hitting 2-for-4 with a run. Turner recorded one RBI in the game. Potter hit 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI. For the Deacons Alex Munoz hit 1-for-1. Munoz had a double in the seventh.

Recording his first shut-out of the year, senior Rob Forbes pitched a complete game fanning seven and scattering four hits. Forbes improves to 2-3 on the year. O'Donnell records the loss for the Deacons.

In game two, the Highlanders fell into a deep hole going into the fourth inning with the Deacons leading 5-0.

DeRogatis came up to the plate with runners on second and third and hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring Derrick McCain who led the inning off reaching base by getting hit-by-a-pitch. Pietrocola followed with a double over the left fielders head scoring Turner who reached base with a double of his own. NJIT pulled within three runs of the Deacons.

The Highlanders rallied in the top of the sixth inning posting seven runs on seven hits. Pietrocola started the rally when he drew a two-out walk. Potter smacked a hard hit grounder to third and advanced to second on a passed ball on the following pitch. Second baseman Dan Morogiello hit his second single of the game and drove in the first run of seven the Highlanders posted. Binkiewicz followed with an RBI single of his own to right field. Justin Racz cleared the bases, hitting a single to center recording two RBI's. McCain reached base on an infield hit while Schlitter followed with a walk. Turner who led off the inning in the seventh came up for his second at-bat of the inning and hit a shot over the left fielder's head taking a 8-7 lead. DeRogatis hit his second RBI of the game and pulled the Highlanders in front 9-7.

For the Highlanders, Turner hit 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run while teammate Morogiello went 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI. For the Deacons, Web Zackery hit 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run.

Peter Rivera the second pitcher of three pitchers for NJIT, was credited with the win improving his record to 2-0. Rivera struck out three and let up two hits. Cory Kuzmik earns his second save of the year facing two batters and striking them both out. Edward Gryzeski records the loss for the Deacons letting up three runs in the top of the sixth.

NJIT's next scheduled action is a 3 pm CACC match-up on Friday against Post University in Waterbury, CT.