Highlights at East Tennessee State
JOHNSON CITY, TN—A late home run by junior Ethan Cady in the eighth inning, secured a 3-2 win over visiting NJIT Sunday afternoon to sweep the three-game series from the Highlanders at Thomas Stadium.
Tied at 2-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth, Cady, the Bucs leadoff-man in the inning, registered his fourth homer of the season, giving East Tennessee State a 3-2 advantage.
The win for the Bucs marked the 12
th straight home victory and improve to 14-4 overall while the Highlanders move to .500 with a 7-7-1 overall record.
Bucs closer James Giambalvo pitched the ninth inning, facing five Highlander batters, securing his third save of the season. East Tennessee State's second pitcher Nathaniel Tate picks up his first win of the season, pitching the seventh and eighth, holding the visitors scoreless.
NJIT starting pitcher, senior co-captain
Sean Lubreski, pitched his second straight complete game, moving to 2-3 on the young season, allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out four Buc batters.
NJIT got on the board first in the top of the second, on a three-hit second inning for the Highlanders, with an RBI single by 1B
Nick Hussey.
The home team answered right back in the bottom half, with a solo shot by junior SS Cade Gilbert, knotting things up at 1-1.
The Highlanders regained the lead in the top of the fourth, 2-1, on an RBI double down the right field line by DH
Tom Brady.
In the sixth innings, the Bucs tied the game at 2-2 on a sacrifice fly to right field by Noah Hill.
East Tennessee State's Gilbert went 3-for-4 with a homer run.
The Highlanders were led by Hussey and Brady, who each finished 2-for-4 with one RBI. Brady registered his second double of the season. Senior co-captain
Michael Anastasia scored both runs for the Highlanders, finishing 2-for-4.
NJIT will return to action, opening 2019 ASUN Conference action on March 22-24 at Liberty, the newest member to the league. The Flames (14-5) were selected third in the Preseason ASUN Coaches Poll.
