WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. --- The NJIT Baseball team rallied for four runs down to defeat the Manhattan Jaspers, 9-7, Tuesday evening at Dutchess Stadium.

NJIT (7-4-1) fell into a 2-0 hole in the second inning after an RBI single and saw Manhattan's lead double in the third after the Jaspers scored on a double to left center with no outs and a one-out single to left.

The Highlanders would respond in dominating fashion, scoring all nine of its runs unanswered over a four-inning period. Sophomore Paul Franzoni put NJIT on the board in the fifth inning with a single to left that drove home sophomore Marcano, who reached base on a fielder's choice.

NJIT's four-run top of the sixth was the highest scoring frame for either team. A two-run RBI double to right center from freshman Brett Helmkamp trimmed Manhattan's lead to 4-3 and sophomore Nick Hussey's ground rule double during the next at-bat brought NJIT even with the Jaspers. Sophomore David Marcano came through in the clutch at the end of the inning, hitting a sacrifice fly with two outs to give NJIT its first lead, 5-4.

Senior Michael Anastasia extended NJIT's newfound lead to 6-4 with an RBI single to right field in the top of the seventh and the Highlanders tacked on their final three runs in the eighth inning. Senior Justin Etts's single to left center brought in David Marcano and made the score 7-4 and a Manhattan throwing error allowed Etts and Franzoni to score and give NJIT at 9-4 advantage.

Manhattan attempted a rally in the bottom of the ninth but after adding three runs to their ledger, sophomore Bryce Short earned the save by forcing an infield pop out and a strikeout of the Jaspers' final batter. 

Franzoni led the way for the Highlanders by going 2-for-3 with an RBI, two runs scored and a pair of walks. Anastasia went 2-for-4 with another RBI, a run and walk and Helmkamp had two RBIs and a run during a 2-for-5 outing.

Sophomore Jake Rappaport earned the victory, going 3.2 innings without allowing a run.