Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  

NEWARK, NJ— Senior Matt Weckerle belted a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning, leading NJIT to a huge 5-3 come-from-behind victory over Sacred Heart in the first game of a doubleheader, but the visiting Pioneers came back to win the nightcap, 6-3, Saturday afternoon at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
 
Saturday's doubleheader split brought the Highlanders record to 10-13 while the Pioneers stand at 14-11 on the season.
 
In the opener, the lefty-swinging Weckerle went the opposite way with his homer off Sacred Heart starter Kody Kerski, after three consecutive singles by freshmen Cody Kramer, Rex MacMillan and senior Teddy Bickert with none out.
 
It was the sixth homer of the season for Weckerle, which tops on the team.
 
Game One
NJIT scored first in the bottom of the second inning, when Ed Charlton was hit by a pitch and came around to score on a long double off the fence to right center by senior Tom Bouck.
 
The Pioneers then tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth with two outs. Jayson Sullivan walked, stole second and came home on a double by Conor McEvoy.
 
Sacred Heart gained a 3-1 lead in the top of the seventh, when McEvoy doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Derick Horn.  Matt Charmello, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored on a double by Victor Sorrento, setting up the heroics in the bottom of the eighth.
 
NJIT sophomore Ian Bentley pitched the first eight innings in gaining the victory, evening his record at 3-3. Bentley struck out six and walked just one, while surrendering five hits. Junior Tyler Kapp pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.
 
The eighth-inning outburst by the Highlanders sent Kerski to his first defeat in six decisions this season. Kerski entered the game allowing just three earned runs in 40 1/3 innings this season, but allowed four earned runs in the eighth inning alone Saturday.
 
C Cody Kramer was the lone Highlander with more than one hit, collecting two singles, while Sacred Heart's McEvoy had three hits to pace the Pioneers.
 
Game Two
In game two, Sacred Heart snapped a 3-3 tie with three runs in the top of the sixth. Zack Short broke the deadlock with a run-scoring single off reliever Austin McAuliffe and McEvoy broke it open with a two-run single.
 
The Highlanders scored one run in the bottom of the first on an RBI fielder's choice from Charlton and added two runs in the fourth inning that tied the game at 3-3.
 
NJIT's Teddy Bickert singled and scored when Weckerle's double was booted for an error in right field. Weckerle scored the second run in the inning on Mike Rampone's fielder's choice.
 
No Highlander had more than one hit in the nightcap. Senior right-hander DJ Roche started and went the first five innings, walking and striking out seven Pioneers before giving way to McAuliffe, who dropped to 1-3 with the decision.
 
Sacred Heart's James Cooksey pitched four innings of relief, allowing just two unearned runs and four hits, striking out three, improving to 1-1 with the victory.

The two teams will go at again on Sunday in Bridgeport, CT at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard with first pitch of the doubleheader set for Noon.
 
Recap courtesy James Hague