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AUGUSTA, NJ—NJIT's Jared Kacso pitched a complete-game five hitter in NJIT's 5-1 victory in game one and Lipscomb won the nightcap, 7-4, to split Thursday's ASUN Conference doubleheader baseball action at Skylands Stadium.

Freshman Brett Helmkamp went 4-for-7 in the doubleheader, driving in a pair of runs and scoring one run.  Four different Highlanders – Justin Etts, Matthew Cocciadiferro, David Marcano and Julio Marcano each combined for three hits.

NJIT and Lipscomb will conclude its three-game ASUN Conference series on Friday at 11am at Skylands Stadium, due to weather, which will include some potential lighting.

Game One | NJIT 5, Lipscomb 1 (Final)
Junior righty Kacso (1-4) pitched his second straight complete game, registering his longest career outing, in a stellar performance, pitching 9.0 innings, letting up five hits and one run, while striking out four Bison batters.

NJIT's 3B David Marcano and 1B Nick Hussey went 2-for-4 in the win, including Hussey's third home run of the season in the second inning.

Lipscomb's Chris Kachmar took the loss, falling to 5-3 on the season, pitching 7.0 innings, letting up nine hits and five runs with 10 strikeouts.

The Bison struck first in the top of the first on an RBI single to right field by Cade Sorrells, scoring Maddux Houghton, who doubled to right center, taking a 1-0 lead.

NJIT tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first on an RBI sacrifice fly to left field by Brett Helmkamp, driving in 3B David Marcano, who doubled the left field line to lead off the inning.

The Highlanders scored three runs in the bottom of the third, taking a 4-1 advantage.  Sophomore 1B Nick Hussey drilled a solo home run to left field, his third of the season followed by a balk by the Lipscomb pitcher and RBI double down the left field line by SS Justin Etts.

The home team added a single run in the bottom of the fourth, for a 5-1 lead, after a RBI single through the left side by LF Julio Marcano, scoring CF Michael Anastasia, who doubled down to left field.

Game Two | Lipscomb 7, NJIT 4 (Final)
Helmkamp continued his hot streak in game two, finishing 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run while Etts, Cocciadiferro and Julio Marcano each registered two hits in the game.

NJIT's Tyler Stafflinger was credited with the loss, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs while striking on three batters.  Sophomore LHP reliever Jake Rappaport pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, letting up just two hits with one strikeout.

Lipscomb's Noah Thompson picked up the win, moving to 2-4 on the season, pitching 6.0 innings, letting up two run on five hits and fanning six Highlander batters.  Reliever Scott Elgin recorded his first save of the season, closing out the final three innings.

NJIT answered in the bottom of the first to knot the game at 1-1 with a blooper to left field by RF Matthew Cocciadiferro, scoring SS Justin Etts.  The senior shortstop reached first with a single through the right side.

The Highlanders regained the lead 2-1 with a single run the bottom of the third on an RBI single to center by Helmkamp.

Lipscomb tied the score at 2-2 with a late run in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by C Chaz Bertonlani.

The visitors broke open the game in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on four hits and one Highlander error for a 7-2 advantage. 

NJIT's Hussey drove in one run in the bottom of the seventh on a groundout to third and Julio Marcano singled to left field, driving in the Highlanders fourth run.