May 4, 2007

Box Score

NEWARK, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology left-handed pitcher PJ Saporito threw a complete-game five-hitter for the school's first Division I shutout in a 2-0 win over visiting New York Institute of Technology Friday night at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

Saporito (4-4) was masterful, striking out nine of the visiting Bears and allowing five hits without a walk, as the Highlanders won for the fifth time in the last six games and recorded their 11th win overall in their first season of Division I competition.

NYIT, which, like NJIT is a Division I Independent in baseball, is now 17-20, losing for just the second time in the last seven games. The Bears' previous loss in the 5-2 run came against Big East-leading St. John's by a 2-1 score.

Saporito scattered three hits through the first eight innings before allowing two hits to open the ninth. Faced with protecting his two-run lead against the heart of the NYIT order, Saporito proceeded to nail down his first career complete game by retiring the next three batters.

NYIT starter, senior RHP Joe Esposito (5-4), was dominant, too, allowing just four hits and two runs, with nine strikeouts and two walks in an eight-inning complete game.

The game, which was completed in less than two hours, featured some fine defense, as the teams combined for three double plays to back the strong pitching.

The Highlanders got two hits from senior RF Kwesi Mitchell, while 3B Mike Turner and CF Craig Binkiewicz each added a hit.

NYIT got two hits apiece from the first two men in its batting order, CF Kraig Binick and SS Mike LaLuna, while C Tom Murray added a single.

The Highlanders picked up single runs in the second and fourth innings, with their two doubles figuring in each score.

In the second, NJIT got a leadoff walk that was erased on an around-the-horn double play. 1B Austin DeRogatis was hit on a pitch by the hard-throwing Esposito, who worked up and in throughout the night. Turner then doubled deep to center field, bringing DeRogatis around to score the first Highlander run.

Mitchell led off the NJIT fourth with a double to the left field fence and advanced to third on 2B Matt Schlitter's fly ball out. Mitchell then scored easily on DH Rob Pietrocola's slow bouncer to charging NYIT 3B Denten Neill, whose only play was to throw across the diamond to nip Pietrocola at first base.

Saporito's shutout faced one of its biggest threats in the opening frame, as Binick led off the game by hammering a 1-2 pitch to center field for a double, After the first of Saporito's nine strikeouts, Binick advanced to third on a ground out, but was left there when Saporito induced DH Christian Dienna to ground out to first.

Murray led off the fourth inning with a single for the visiting Bears, but was taken off the bases when Saporito again got Dienna, this time on a nifty 3-6-3 double play, as DeRogatis made a strong throw to record the first out at second and then jumped to snag the high return throw, completing the double play.

NYIT threatened in the ninth with Saporito showing some signs of fatigue, as some of his pitches started missing up in the strike zone. Binick and LaLuna opened the inning with consecutive singles to center field, putting the tying runs on first and second base, respectively.

Highlander coach Brian Callahan then visited the mound, but rather than pull Saporito, Callahan discussed how he wanted his infielders to defend the various plays that could arise.

Saporito then retired Murray on a pop to shortstop for the first out. Esposito, pinch-hitting for Dienna, drove a pitch to the opposite field, sending NJIT LF Derrick McCain to the warning track for the second out. And Saporito got the final out on a foul pop to C Elliott Hagburg, who hauled in the pop about halfway down the first base line.

NJIT and NYIT are playing what amounts to an extended four-game series. They are scheduled to meet again at NYIT in Old Westbury on Long Island in single afternoon games on Saturday and Sunday.

NYIT has two games against other teams earlier next week, but NJIT will not play again after its two weekend games until next Thursday, when it will host NYIT. The game at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark is the Highlanders' Senior Night, with first pitch slated for 7 pm on May 10.