HOOVER, AL—The NJIT baseball team improved to a 3-0 record on the young season with a 10-4 victory in game one behind a solid pitching performance from senior RHP
Sean Lubreski while sophomore
Julio Marcano blasted a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth for a 10-9 victory in the nightcap against Eastern Michigan Saturday afternoon at Hoover Metropolitan Complex.
In game one, NJIT got the bats going early, taking an early 5-0 lead, heading into the fourth inning. The Eagles added a pair of runs in the bottom fifth and one in the seventh but the Highlanders held a comfortable lead, adding a single run in the top seventh and three in the ninth for a 10-4 victory.
The nightcap saw Eastern Michigan score the first run of the game but the Eagles fell behind 5-2 in the second inning. The Eagles added a pair of runs in the top of the third, slimming the Highlander lead to 5-4. NJIT crossed the plate twice in the sixth and eighth for a 9-6 advantage but the Eagles would score three in the top of the eighth, tying the game at 9-9. Sophomore 3B
Julio Marcano went yard in the bottom of the 10
th, securing the Highlanders 10-9 victory.
Game One | NJIT 10, Eastern Michigan 4 (Final)
The first game of the doubleheader saw two scoreless innings of baseball to start the game, until the Highlanders scored a pair of runs in the top of the second and four in the fourth for a 6-0 lead. DH
Jared Donnelly tripled down the right field line with one out in the top of the third and scored on a RBI double to left center by 1B
Nick Hussey. Hussey scored the second run of the inning on a fielder's choice by C
Paul Franzoni.
The Highlanders scored four runs in the top of the fourth on RBI singles through the right side by 2B
Brett Helmkamp and SS
Justin Etts.
Julio Marcano's grounded into a fielder's choice sending home a run and a fielding error by the Eagles allowed for NJIT's fourth run of the inning, taking a 6-0 advantage.
The following inning Eastern Michigan got on the board on a fielder's choice and sac fly, which allowed the Eagles to cut into the Highlander deficit.
NJIT recorded 10 runs on 10 hits adding a run in the top of the seventh and three in the ninth, securing the 10-4 victory.
Helmkamp paced the Highlanders in game one, going 3-for-5 (all singles) with three RBI and two runs. C
Paul Franzoni who ended game one of the series in walk-off fashion with his ninth inning two-run home run, knocked home his second home run of the year in the top of the seventh.
Senior RHP
Sean Lubreski picked up his first win of the season, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing six hits on while striking out six Eagle batters. Sophomore
Jake Rappaport pitched two scoreless innings and
Evan Gegeckas closed out game one for NJIT in the bottom of the ninth.
Game Two | NJIT 10 | Eastern Michigan 9 (10 Innings)
In an exciting game two, the Highlanders registered 10 runs and 15 hits. LF
Julio Marcano blasted a solo shot in the bottom of the tenth on a walk-off home run, for the second consecutive day, this time in extra innings, securing the 10-9 win.
Julio Marcano went 4-for-5 with four RBI and four runs in game two, including a double and walk-off home run. Franzoni continued his hot streak, hitting 2-for-4 with three runs batted in, CF
Michael Anastasia went 3-for-5 with two RBI and 3B
David Marcano and SS
Justin Etts each registered a pair of hits in the victory.
Starting pitcher
Tyler Stafflinger was credited with a no-decision, pitching the first five innings, allowing five runs, four hits (three earned) while fanning four Eagles. Freshman
Grant Vurpillat, who came in to close out Friday's game, picking up his first collegiate win, closed the door again on Saturday, entering the game in the middle of the ninth, holding the Eagles hitless and scoreless in the final two innings.
NJIT and Eastern Michigan will conclude its four-game series on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at Hoover Metropolitan Complex, in Hoover, Alabama. The Highlanders have won two-out-of-three games against the Eagles in walk-off fashion.
