March 12, 2007

Box Score

PALM BEACH, FL - The New Jersey Institute of Technology baseball team recorded their first NCAA Division I win today defeating Long Island University 23-12 in day two of the Palm Beach Challenge in Palm Beach today.

Three Highlanders finished the day hitting 4-for-5. Kwesi Mitchell added seven RBI's and six runs. Two out of four of Mitchell's hits were homeruns. Sophomore Rob Pietrocola recorded four RBI's and three runs while freshman Randy Scott combined for three RBI's and two runs.

The Highlanders got started in the top of the first when second baseman Matt Schlitter knocked an RBI double to the fence, scoring Craig Binkiewicz who led off the inning with a walk. Derrick McCain advanced Schlitter to third on a fly out to center. Sophomore Pietrocola smacked a double picking up two RBI's and putting NJIT ahead 3-0.

Schlitter kept the Highlanders alive in the top of the second when he hit a two out double to right center. McCain followed with a walk. Senior Mitchell stepped up to the plate and knocked a three run homerun over the left field fence putting NJIT up 6-0. Mitchell's homerun was his first of the season. Making his first start of the season at third base, Andrew Small bounced a single up the middle scoring two Highlanders, giving NJIT an 8-0 lead.

Catcher Kris Kievet put the Blackbirds on the board hitting a solo homerun in the bottom of the second.

NJIT added five runs in the top of the third. McCain ripped an RBI single into the gap on the right side of the field scoring Miguel Lugo who led the inning off with a walk. McCain then stole second putting runners on second and third for Mitchell. Mitchell drew a walk loading the bases for Pietrocola who hit his second single of the game to left scoring two runs. Scott followed with two runs of his own hitting a double.

LIU added a run on a double ripped down the left field line by Robbie Rowen.

The Highlanders recorded six runs in the top of the fourth pushing their lead out to 19-2.

The Blackbirds added run as left fielder Frank DiMasi hit a single into center scoring James Jones who reached on a fielder's choice.

In the top of the seventh, Mitchell hit out his second homerun of the game.

Long Island rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning putting up nine runs on two hits and three errors. Jones came up to the plate with the bases loaded and cleared them by hitting a triple to right.

NJIT relief pitcher Cory Kuzmik closed the game striking out the last three out of four batters of the game.

Starter PJ Saporito recorded his first win of the season pitching six innings, fanning four and walking one. For the Blackbirds, Jesse Johnson suffers the loss pitching 1.2 innings striking out one.

For LIU, Rowen finished up the day 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run while teammate Jones went 1-for-5 with three RBI's and two runs.

Lugo went 3-for-6 while Small hit 3-for-5 with three RBI's.

The Highlanders return to action Tuesday, March 13 when they face Northern Illinois at 1pm.