NEWARK, NJ—Evan Pietronico and Julio Marcano each drove in a pair of runs to lead the NJIT offense as the Highlanders defeated visiting USC Upstate 7-3 in ASUN Conference action at Riverfront Stadium.

NJIT, winners of its last three, move to 14-12 overall, 3-4 in the ASUN while the visiting Spartans fall to 16-20-1 overall, 1-6 in the ASUN.

Highlander starting pitcher RHP Jared Kacso picked up his second win of the season, improving to 2-3, pitching the first four innings of action, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out three Spartans.

Relief pitcher RHP Tommy Derer pitched 4.1 strong innings for the home team, letting up just three hits and one run while fanning four Spartans.  Senior RHP Johnny Malatesta closed out the game, facing one batter in the ninth, which ended a double play.

Freshman 1B Julio Marcano combined for 3-for-5, driving in two RBI and one run while LF Evan Pietronico went 1-for-5, driving in a pair of runs and scoring one run.

Leadoff batter SS Justin Etts went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, including his fourth double of the season.  Senior CF Jesse Uttendorfer and RF Michael Anastasia hit 2-for-5 with one RBI while C Paul Franzoni finished 2-for-3 with one run.

USC Upstate starting pitcher Kevin Hickey was credited with the loss, falling to 2-2 on the season, pitching 4.0 innings, allowing 10 hits and five runs (all earned).

Spartan 2B Kyle Gensler went a perfect 3-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored while SS Jake Bourke finished 2-for-4.

USC Upstate got on the board early, scoring the first run on an RBI single up the middle by 2B Kyle Gensler, scoring LF Pat Raiff, who singled to left field.

NJIT answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, taking a 2-1 lead over the visiting Spartans.  SS Justin Etts started the Highlander rally with a double down the left field line and scored on an RBI single through the right side by 1B Julio Marcano.  Senior CF Jesse Uttendorfer blasted a double to right field, scoring Julio Marcano, for the Highlanders second run of the game.

The Spartans plated a single run on a Highlander error in the top of the second, knotting the game at 2-2.

NJIT added a three runs and took a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a pair of two-out doubles to right field, first by Evan Pietronico, scoring C Paul Franzoni and Etts followed by a double by RF Michael Anastasia, driving in Pietronico.

Uttendorfer started off the bottom of the fifth inning with a triple off the right field fence and scored on a wild pitch, extending the Highlander lead to 6-2.

The Spartans CF Russ Schwertfeger drove the only run of the eighth with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Gensler, who led off the inning with a walk, slimming the Highlander lead to 6-3.

NJIT scored a single run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double to left field by Julio Marcano, pushing the Highlander lead to 7-3.

With cold temperatures and rain in the Newark area for Sunday the two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday at Riverfront Stadium in Newark, NJ.  First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.