NEWARK, NJ-Visiting Marist scored one run in each of the first two innings and the Red Foxes added insurance with a pair of unearned runs in the eighth inning of their 4-2 non-conference baseball win Wednesday over NJIT in the Highlanders' home opener at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
Both teams got good pitching, but the Red Foxes (6-10) did more to take advantage of their scoring chances in the single nine-inning afternoon game. In suffering its fourth consecutive loss, NJIT falls to 7-12 this season.
The teams had a comparable number of base runners in the game, but Marist had eight hits, including a double and a home run, to go with one walk. Most of NJIT's base runners reached via walk, as the Highlanders got eight free passes, but just two hits for the afternoon.
Lanky 6-foot-5 right-hander Michael Hunter (1-1) started and got the win for the visitors after working five innings and allowing no runs on one hit, with a walk and two strikeouts in five innings.
Marist used three relievers, the last of whom, junior RHP Ryan Thomas, got credit for his fourth save of the season after allowing a hit, a run, and four walks in the ninth inning.
NJIT's sophomore starter,
Johnny Malatesta (1-2) struggled a bit in the first two innings, but recovered to retire 12 of the last 14 batters he faced, completing five innings and allowing five hits and two runs.
Tommy Derer, also a sophomore, pitched 2.2 innings in relief and was charged with two unearned runs and two hits.
The third Highlander pitcher,
John Saviano, also a sophomore, finished the game with 1.1 scoreless innings and one hit allowed.
Marist's leadoff hitter, sophomore shortstop Andrew Rouse (3-for-5), opened the game with a single and went to third second base after a wild pitch. After a fly out, Rouse scored on an infield out DH Tyler Kirpatrick (1-for-4, 2 RBI).
Marist LF Frankie Gregoire led off the second inning with a home run to right field, putting his team ahead 2-0.
NJIT, meanwhile did not get its first hit until LF
Evan Pietronico hit a one-out double in the fourth inning, but he was stranded when Marist's Hunter got the next two batters out.
With Malatesta and then Derer holding the visitors off the scoreboard from the third through the seventh innings, NJIT got a run in the bottom of the sixth inning without benefit of a hit.
With one out, CF
Jesse Uttendorfer, 1B
Bryan Haberstroh, and Pietronico all walked to load the bases. DH
Stephan Halibej then bounced a slow roller toward the middle, where it was played by the shortstop to the second baseman for a force out. But Halibej beat the throw at first base to avoid a double play and get the run in. The inning ended on a ground out, with two men left on base for NJIT.
Having failed to cash in more than one run in the sixth, the Highlanders were burned by an error and a successful double steal of second and third base that set up two unearned runs for Marist in the top of the eighth inning.
The Highlanders staged a late two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, but they finished with one run in the frame and a 4-2 defeat.
After a leadoff walk, Marist turned a double play, but the next three Highlanders drew walks to fill the bases. 2B
Matt Stalter then hit a slow roller down the third base line that brought in a run when he beat Marist's throw to first base. However, that was it for NJIT, which had three men on base when the last out was recorded.
NJIT's next action is schedule for Friday with a noon doubleheader at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium against Fordham. With rain in the forecast for Friday, game times are subject to change. Follow the official website of NJIT athletics (www.njithighlanders.com) and social media (@njithighlanders) for updates.
