CARY, NC - The NJIT baseball team split its doubleheader with Bucknell on Saturday at the USA Baseball Complex, falling 11-7 in game one, before bouncing back to take the second game 14-2.

NJIT heads into Sunday's rubber match against the Bison with a 5-4 record, while Bucknell is now 3-7 on the season. 

In game one, the Highlanders scored the first two runs in the second inning, but Bucknell used a three-run fifth inning to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead in game one. The Bison extended their lead to 8-3 before a four-run eighth inning from the Highlanders cut the margin to one, but Buckenll tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth to make the final margin 11-7.

Julio Marcano and Albert Choi each had a pair of hits in the loss, while both were joined by Brett Helmkamp in each driving in a pair of runs.

The Bison scored first in game two, but it was all NJIT after that as the Highlanders scored three times in the second and four more in the third to take a comfortable 7-1 lead. The Highlanders added five runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to add to their lead. 

David Marcano recorded three hits in the game two victory, while Daniel Helfgott chipped in with two. Marcano, Helfgott, Paul Franzoni and Luke Longo each knocked in a pair of runs to help lead the NJIT offense.

Parker O'Neil started the game on the mound and struck out six hitters over five innings to earn the win. O'Neil was relieved by Tyler Cirone, who pitched four innings out of the bullpen and didn't allow a hit or walk, while striking out four.

Sunday's contest is scheduled to begin at 10am back at the USA Baseball Complex.