Box score
LANTANA, FL--North Dakota State scored five times in the first inning and five times in the fifth inning as part of an easy 19-2 baseball win over NJIT Saturday afternoon in the Highlanders' final contest at the Palm Beach Challenge.
The Bison, who pounded out 22 hits, including three doubles, four triples and two home runs, followed the five-run first inning with at least two runs in each of the next five innings en route to the big win.
Only freshman RHP Dan Moreno, the fourth of four pitchers, had any success for NJIT, shutting out North Dakota State on two hits over the last two innings.
Sophomore right-hander Steven Ace, who had three encouraging starts to open the season, struggled in his fourth start, yielding 10 runs (7 earned) and was unable to complete the third inning. He is 0-3 on the season.
North Dakota State's McHale Maristuen started and picked up his first win of the season with a strong seven innings that included seven hits, eight strikeouts and two bases-on-balls. Spencer Johnson tossed two scoreless innings to close out the win for the Bison.
The home runs for the Bison came from C Justin Kline (4-for-5) and from RF Luke Otto (1-for-5). In addition to Kline's four hits, North Dakota State got three hits from CF Kyle Harrison, three from OF Ben Bruggeman, and three from 2B Andrew Stitt.
Kline also had a double and DH Shannon Ekermans (2-for-4) had two doubles. Two of Bruggeman's hits were triples and 3B Eric Nutzhorn, who did not start, came off the Bison bench for triples in each of his two at-bats. Bruggeman and Stitt were the RBI leaders with three apiece.
NJIT got both of its runs in the seventh inning, 3B John Berner led off with a single and after an out, he scored on a double by senior RF Thomas Farina. The captain soon scored himself after moving up on a passed ball that preceded a single for freshman pinch hitter Anthony Caiola. It was the first career RBI for Caiola, who has two hits in his three college at-bats.
Also standing out was OF Giorbis Bermudez. Making his first start of the season, Bermudez was the only Highlander with more than one hit. Batting in the leadoff spot, he was 2-for-5 and now has five hits in his 10 at-bats this season.
NJIT's extra-base hits were the aforementioned RBI double by Farina and a sixth-inning double by senior 2B Craig Binkiewicz, who finished 1-for-4. He comes home from Florida batting .349, the highest average on the team among players with more than 10 at-bats.
The Highlanders, who scored 11 runs in their first Palm Beach Challenge game against LIU, but just a combined five over the next three Florida games, will return to New Jersey on Sunday.
The 2009 home opener is scheduled for Wednesday at 4 pm against Lehigh at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
