DELAND, FL—Stetson broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single by Kyle Ball, plating the go-ahead run as the Hatters rallied for a 4-3 victory over visiting NJIT Friday evening in ASUN Conference baseball action at Melching Field at Conrad Park.

WATCH: NJIT Highlights at Stetson | 4.5.19 - Game One

The Hatters, hosting its first home ASUN Conference series of the season, improves to 3-1 in the league and 13-16 overall while the Highlanders move to 2-5 in the ASUN and 12-14-1 overall.

Ball, the Hatters sophomore, delivered a two-out hit in the eighth inning to score Andrew MacNeil from second for the winning run, putting Stetson ahead, 4-3. It was the third hit of the game for Ball.

Stetson's starter Chris Gonzalez pitched 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts.  Reliever Danny Garcia (3-0) picked up the win, pitching the final 2.2 innings, holding the Highlanders scoreless and hitless, including two strikeouts.

NJIT was led by junior RF Matthew Cocciadiferro, who finished 1-for-4 with two RBI, including his first home run of the season, a two-run homer, coming in the sixth. 

Sophomore DH David Marcano was the other Highlander to drive in a run in the game.  David Marcano started the scoring for NJIT with a solo shot in the top of the first, his third of the season. 

Freshman 3B Jared Donnelly went 2-for-3 and LF Julio Marcano finished 2-for-3 with one run.

NJIT freshman Joe Georgini (1-2) took the loss in relief of Highlanders' starter Jared Kacso, who pitched 7.0 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk.

NJIT will return to action on Saturday at 6:30pm against the Hatters on ESPN+.