UNIVERSITY PARK, PA—NJIT baseball claimed its first win of its weekend series at Penn State, 8-6, as the Highlanders exploded for seven runs in the seventh inning Sunday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

NJIT (8-7), trailing 2-0 heading into the top of the seventh, exploded for seven runs on eight hits, taking its first lead of the series, 7-2. 

A grand slam for Penn State in the bottom of the seventh, pulled the Nittany Lions within one of the visiting Highlanders, 7-6.  NJIT added a single run in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch and held on for the 8-6 win.

Sophomore right-hander Tyler Stafflinger (3-1) had a no-hitter going through the first five innings, giving the Highlanders a strong start on the mound.  Stafflinger pitched 17 scoreless consecutive innings, heading into the bottom of the fifth while fanning six Nittany Lions.

Senior Tommy Derer, the Highlanders third pitcher on the day, was dominate in the final 2.1 innings of relief, picking up his first save of the season, striking out three batters while not giving up a run or a hit.

In the seventh, CF Michael Anastasia hit a two-run single to give NJIT the 3-2 lead and DH Evan Pietronico added a two-run single of his own before RBI hits from LF Jesse Uttendorfer and 3B David Marcano capped off the seven-run inning.

Anastasia finished 1-for-5 with two RBI and one run while Pietronico went 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run.  Twin brothers David Marcano and Julio Marcano, from Katy, Texas, finished 2-for-5 while Jesse Uttendorfer combined for a 2-for-4 performance with one RBI and one run.

After four scoreless innings, Penn State struck first in the bottom of the fifth on a bases loaded RBI walk to Logan Goodnight, for a 1-0 lead.  The Nittany Lions got its first base runner after Mason Nadeau reached on a fielding error by the Highlanders, advancing to second.  NJIT starter Tyler Stafflinger, who pitched four scoreless innings, loaded the bases with back-to-back walks for Goodnight.  The sophomore righty got out of the inning with a high fastball, striking out Jordan Bowersox. 

The Nittany Lions broke up the no-hitter for Stafflinger, in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run inside the left foul pole for Connor Klemann as Penn State took a 2-0 lead.

Penn State's C Ryan Sloniger hit a grand slam in the seventh and finished the game, 1-for-5 with four RBI and one run.

NJIT added a run in the top of ninth, as Julio Marcano led off the inning with a double to left center field.  Marcano advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Uttendorfer and advanced home on a wild pitch for a an 8-6 score.

NJIT will return to action with a mid-week game on Tuesday at Marist in Poughkeepsie, NY.  First pitch slated for 3pm.