FAIRFIELD, CT—NJIT dropped a 9-4 decision at Fairfield in a mid-week non-conference baseball action at Alumni Diamond Tuesday afternoon.

Fairfield picked up its second straight win, improving to 19-23 on the season, while the Highlanders, who are coming off a 3-2 win at No. 25 Jacksonville, fall to 18-19 on the year.

The Stags put up three runs in the first inning on a three-run home run by 1B Drew Blake, his team-leading sixth of the season for a 3-0 advantage.

The Highlanders responded with three of their own in the top of the second, as 3B David Marcano led off the inning with a single up the middle and scored on an RBI triple to center field by CF Michael Anastasia.  Anastasia scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by C Paul Franzoni and an RBI single to right field by 2B Tom Brady capped the Highlanders scoring in the inning, scoring RF Matthew Cocciadiferro, who singled to right field.

Fairfield scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth and plated a single run in the bottom of the sixth on a solo shot by Jack Gethings, taking a 9-3 advantage.

The visitors added a run in the top of the seventh on an RBI ground out by LF Jesse Uttendorfer, driving in Brady, who led off the inning with a double to right field.

Fairfield held the Highlanders scoreless in the eighth and ninth inning to secure the 9-4 victory.

Stags starting pitcher Trey McLoughlin (3-5) earned his third-straight victory, allowing two hits in six innings of action.

Blake finished 1-for-3 with three RBI and one run while Arciuolo went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.

NJIT starting pitcher Tommy Derer (3-1) took the loss, pitching 2.0 innings, allowing five hits and five runs.  NJIT's third pitcher Chris Gibbons pitched 3.0 innings, letting up two hits and one run while Brent Jones and Brett Lubreski, each pitching one inning for the Highlanders, holding the Stags scoreless in the seventh and eighth.

Brady finished 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI followed by Cocciadiferro finished 2-for-3 with one run.  Anastasia and Uttendorfer were the two other Highlanders to drive in a run.

NJIT will have a break from ASUN Conference action this weekend and will host Saint Joseph's on Saturday.  First pitch is set for 2:30pm. 

Saturday will be Senior Day as the Highlanders will recognize its 10 graduating seniors – Jesse Uttendorfer, Evan Pietronico, Brady Hall, Brent Jones, Johnny Malatesta, Brian Sondergard, Tommy Derer, Andres Fernandez, John Saviano and Justin Chin in pregame ceremonies.