JACKSONVILLE, FL— North Florida held on for a 13-8 win over visiting NJIT in game one of the three-game ASUN Conference series after a five-run ninth-inning for the Highlanders, sparked by a grand slam by Evan Pietronico Thursday evening at Harmon Stadium.

North Florida scored at least a run in every inning but two, improving to 5-2 in the ASUN and 24-13 overall while NJIT tacked on a single run in the first, second, fifth and five runs in the ninth-inning but it wasn't enough to overcome, as the Highlanders drop to 0-7 in the league and 3-26 overall.

The Ospreys produced 18 hits, led by 1B Christian Diaz, who went 4-for-5 with one RBI and two runs followed by RF Yahir Gurrola with a 3-for-5 day, including three RBI and three runs.  SS Patrick Ervin, CF Chris Thibideau and 3B Alex Merritt each recorded a pair of hits in the victory.

The winning pitcher for the home team was Austin Drury (6-2), who pitched 6.0 innings, giving up seven hits and three runs.

The Highlanders were paced by Pietronico's 2-for-4 performance, which included his first grand slam of his career in the top of the ninth and two runs scored.  2B Tom Brady was the other Highlander with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 while five different Highlanders notched a hit.

NJIT used four pitchers Thursday with starting pitcher Brett Lubreski (0-2) being credited with the loss, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up four hits and four runs.  The Highlanders fourth pitcher, freshman Jared Kacso, pitched the final 1.2 innings, after entering the game in the middle of the seventh, keeping the Ospreys scoreless to close out the game.

The Highlanders scored the first run of the game in the top of the first, with runners at second and third, as SS Justin Etts grounded out to the shortstop, scoring 1B Johnny Malatesta, who led off the inning with a single through the left side.

In the top of the second, the Highlanders added another run on a sacrifice fly to right field by C Cody Kramer, scoring 3B Bryan Haberstroh.  Haberstroh reached first on a fielding error by the Osprey pitcher.

CF Michael Anastasia drove in the Highlanders run in the top of the fifth on a single up the middle to score Pietronico, who singled to right field.

The two teams will return to action at Harmon Stadium on Friday at 4pm.