April 18, 2006

Box Score

NEWARK, NJ - Dowling outscored New Jersey Institute of Technology, 22-13, in a non-conference baseball slugfest that included 35 runs, 29 hits, 21 walks, two hit batsmen and seven pitching changes between the two teams Tuesday night at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

Dowling, which has won 11 of its last 12, is 17-11 on the season, while NJIT, which lost for the first time in six games, drops to 16-12.

The visitors, who collected 18 hits, including three doubles, a triple and a Matt Monastero home run, to go with nine walks and two hit batsmen, broke open a 4-4 game with six runs in the top of the third inning. The Golden Lions put the game out of reach with an eight-run sixth inning that stretched their lead to 18-6.

Dowling's offense was led by Monastero, the eighth-place hitter, who went 4-for-6, with four runs scored and five RBI. He doubled in addition to his home run. James Healey was 4-for-7, with four RBI and three runs scored.

Eight different Highlanders accounted for their team's 11 hits and they were also the recipients of 12 walks from the Dowling pitching staff. Austin DeRogatis was 3-for-5 and drove in a game-high six runs for NJIT. DeRogatis, who played most of the game at first base, moved over to the pitcher's mound to retire the last two batters in the top of the ninth inning.

Matt Schlitter (2-for-4) was the only other Highlander with a multiple-hit night. He and Justin Racz scored three runs apiece, while Rob Forbes collected a pair of runs batted in.

NJIT will return to action in less than 24 hours, hosting Caldwell in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader, starting at 4 pm on Wednesday. The Highlanders have captured wins in seven of their last eight conference games, including the last five in a row.