March 24, 2007

Game One

Game Two

BETHLEHELM, PA - The New Jersey Institute of Technology baseball team split a doubleheader with Lehigh Saturday afternoon at Goodman Campus, falling in the first game, 7-6, on a game-winning RBI single by Billy Swenson in the bottom of the seventh and taking game two from Lehigh, 5-4 as Miguel Lugo drove in the game-winning run.

Game 1

NJIT knotted the game at six on an RBI single through the right field side of the infield by Matt Schlitter scoring Craig Binkiewicz who led off the inning with an infield hit.

The Highlanders rallied in the top of the sixth on a grand slam by senior left fielder Kwesi Mitchell. Mitchell hit a 3-1 fastball over the left field fence bringing the Highlanders within one run of the Mountain Hawks. Binkiewicz and Schlittler led off the inning with back-to-back hits to centerfield. Senior tri-captain Derrick McCain drew a walk loading the bases for Mitchell.

NJIT second baseman, Schlitter went 3-for-4 with two RBI's, while Mitchell hit 1-for-4 with four RBI's, all which came in the top of the sixth on his first grand slam of the season. Mitchell's last grand slam came freshman year against Dominican. Binkiewicz batted 2-for-4 in the game.

NJIT jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a solo homerun by Schlitter. Today marks the first homerun of the season for Schlitter.

The Mountain Hawks answered back in the bottom of the first posting one run on one hit and one error tying the game at 1.

Both teams were held scoreless over the next three innings of play until Liam O'Connor hit an RBI single to left field. Lehigh posted four runs in the inning jumping out to a 5-1 lead.

Lehigh relief pitcher Greg Morka earns the win improving his record to 2-1. Reliever Cory Kuzmik falls to 1-1 on the season. Sophomore pitcher Matt Melody started out the game pitching four innings, striking out one and giving up two hits. Freshman Bobby Wywra game into pitch the fifth and sixth innings giving up facing five batter and fanning three.

Leading the Mountain Hawk offense was Stephen Salemme who went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI's. Matt Reitze hit 1-for-2 with two RBI.

Game 2

Freshman Miguel Lugo drove in the game-winning run in the top of the ninth as New Jersey Institute of Technology nipped Lehigh 5-4, in game two of the doubleheader at Goodman Campus.

The Highlanders took a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth inning on a RBI, single by Lugo who scored pinch runner Alan Roberts who replaced PJ Saporito who drew a walk to lead off the inning.

For the Highlanders, Schlitter hit 3-for-5 with two runs while Binkiewicz finished out the game 2-for-5 with two runs. Lugo hit 1-for-4 recording the game-winning RBI.

The Mountain Hawks posted a run in the sixth and two in the seventh tying the game 4-4. Dan Clauson hit an RBI, single to left field to tie the game.

Highlanders Binkiewicz and Schlitter started off the game with back-to-back singles as Mitchell stepped up to the plate and drove in the first run of the game on an infield hit. Mike Turner hit into a fielder's choice bringing the second run across the plate and giving NJIT a 2-0 lead.

Lehigh posted their first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to left field by David Moscow.

NJIT posted two runs in the top of the fifth taking a 4-1 advantage. Schlitter recorded a single in the inning.

Sophomore starter Rob Pietrocola pitched five innings letting up two hits and two runs. Freshman Evan Bigler recorded his first win of the season pitching one inning, facing four batters and giving up one hit. Relief specialist Cory Kuzmik pitched a scoreless ninth inning picking up his second save of the year, facing four batters and striking out two. Lehigh relief pitcher Greg Mortka suffers the loss falling to 2-2.

For the Mountain Hawks, third baseman Matt Reitze went 2-for-2 with three runs while Moscow hit 0-for-3 with three RBI.

The Highlanders return to action tomorrow when they host Lehigh in a doubleheader at Owen T. Carroll on the campus of Seton Hall. First pitch is scheduled for 12pm.