May 13, 2008

Box Score

NORRISTOWN, PA - The Highlanders recorded a season-high 19 hits en route to a 13-4 road victory over Saint Joseph's (PA) at Latshaw-McCarthy field Tuesday afternoon.

NJIT out-hit Saint Joseph's 19-8, while the Hawks stranded nine runners on base.

Number three hitter Dom Hayes led the Highlanders as he produced a 4-for-6 day with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Senior 1B Mike Turner followed hitting 3-for-6 with two runs and two runs batted in.

The Highlanders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first as SS Miguel Lugo reached base on a hit by pitch. Senior DH Matt Schlitter grounded out to third advancing Lugo to second. Hayes hit an RBI triple, his second of the year, into the gap in right center, scoring the Highlanders first run. Turner hit an RBI singled up the middle while 2B Dan Morogiello followed with a single up the middle of his own advancing Turner to third. Turner crossed the plate adding an insurance run as Morogiello found himself in a run-down for the final out in the inning.

Saint Joseph's got on the board in the bottom half of the second as Jereme Scott singled to left center field driving in Ben Wendle who reached base on a hit by a pitch. Sophomore catcher Evan Spano drove in the second run of the inning for the Hawks on a single thru the right side.

The Hawks knotted the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third on a double steal by Jeremy Jakuboski and Joe Cook. Cook stole home scoring the tying run.

NJIT regained the lead in the top of the sixth, 5-3 on a two out RBI single to left field by CF Ricky Petrosino. A single by Lugo scored James D'Aloia who drew a hit by pitch in the inning.

Pinch hitter PJ Saporito gave NJIT the lead for good in the top of the eighth when he blasted a double to left field driving in three Highlanders. Hayes, Turner and Petrosino drove in the final five runs of the inning closing out the game 13-4.

Highlander Matt Melody (1-2) earned the win pitching the final 4.1 innings striking out four batters. Bobby Wyrwa, NJIT's starter, pitched the first 4.2 inning giving up five hits and fanning a game-high five batters. Saint Joseph's second pitcher Chad Simendinger was credited with the loss allowing two runs and striking out three.

Turner, Petrosino and Hayes each recorded three hits while freshman catcher Matt Tomczyk and LF D'Aloia combined for four hits. Petrosino and Saporito drove in three runs apiece.

Hawks' Spano went 3-for-4 while Jakubowksi hit 2-for-5.

The Highlanders return to action on Friday, when they travel to Dayton, Ohio to take on Wright State in a three game series. Friday and Saturday's game is set for 6:30pm. Sunday's game closes out the series at noon.