April 6, 2008

Box Score

BANGOR, ME - Host Maine scored in every inning but the first, with an eight-run fifth inning included in a 19-0 baseball win over visiting NJIT Sunday afternoon.

Three different Black Bears--RF Mark Ostrander, SS Tony Patane and 3B Jarrett Lukas--each picked up four hits. Patane and DH Matt Howard (two hits) had four runs batted in apiece and C Joe Mercurio was 3-for-4 with three RBI. Howard hit two home runs, leading off the third with a solo shot and later belting a three-run blast in Maine's eight-run fifth inning.

Freshman SS Matt Marotta had two of the NJIT hits, while the other came from senior Tom Farina pinch-hitting in the ninth inning.

Maine's Matt Jebb (2-1) was the starting and winning pitcher. He tossed six innings, surrendering just two hits, while striking out eight and walking one. Three relievers combined to pitch the last three innings for the Black Bears, allowing just Farina's single, while adding five more strikeouts and a walk.

Sophomore LHP Bobby Wyrwa (0-5) started and lost for NJIT, which used three relievers, the most effective of whom was the last one, freshman left-hander Dom Hayes, who pitched the last one and two-thirds inning and allowed one unearned run.

NJIT, which has played just two of its first 24 games at home, is scheduled to play its next six contests, all in the upcoming week, at home in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

The first game in the six-game homestand is scheduled for Tuesday at 4 pm, when the Highlanders host Fordham.