April 29, 2008

Box Score

JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Highlanders had a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning but the Peacocks tacked on five runs taking control of the game in a back-and-forth 11-10 baseball win over visiting New Jersey Institute of Technology Tuesday night at Jaroschak Field.

NJIT had scored twice in the top of the fifth, coming within one run of Saint Peter's. Peacocks pinch hitter Eric Miksitz hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the frame taking a 9-7 lead. Dennis Alexander doubled down the left field line driving home John Lynch while Brandon Edwards followed with a single scoring Alexander, adding two more runs to the scoreboard, going up 11-7.

Alexander and Edwards, Saint Peter's first two batters, went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and two runs scored on the day. LF Michael LaCava finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored in the victory.

For NJIT, Miguel Lugo and Dom Hayes, got three hits apiece to lead the Highlanders' 17-hit offense. Each man drove in a run. DH Matt Schlitter went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and three runs scored. LF Rob Pietrocola and 3B John Berner both added two hits. Berner recorded his first triple of the season in the top of the second.

The winning pitcher for Saint Peter's was David Mericle (1-0), who pitched 1.1 innings allowing three hits and two runs (two earned), striking out one. Jeremy Ives picked up his first save of the year facing the final three batters in the final inning.

Anthony Corsi was the losing pitcher, pitching 3.2 innings letting up eight hits and eight runs. Reliever Spiro Molfetas finished up the game pitching the final 4.2 innings, giving up five hits and three runs.

NJIT rallied in the top half of the ninth as Berner led off the inning with a walk. CF Ricky Petrosino and SS Lugo hit back-to-back singles loading the bases. Schlitter stepped up to the plate and hit a sacrifice fly driving in Berner leaving runners at second and third. Hayes singled loading the bases for the second time in the inning. 1B Mike Turner had the biggest hit of the inning singling up the middle driving in two runs and bringing the Highlanders within one run of the Peacocks but it wasn't enough as Saint Peter's escaped with an 11-10 victory.

The Highlanders return to action on Saturday when they travel to West Point, NY to take on Army at 3pm. Sunday's games will feature a doubleheader beginning at 1pm.