Stony Brook, NY - The NJIT baseball team had to hit the road for a pair of "home" games on Saturday, traveling to Long Island to take on a Stony Brook ballclub that was nearly perfect through 16 America East games and recently found itself ranked #26 In College Baseball News Top 30.

The Highlanders didn't make things easy on themselves as they spotted the Seawolves four early runs in game one before immediately answering with five runs and holding on to win 6-5 and then completing the sweep with another one-run victory, this time by a score of 3-2, in game two. Prior to Saturday's twinbill, NJIT was just 5-9 in gams decided by two runs or less and 3-5 in one-run contests. 

NJIT improved to 10-18 overall this season and 9-13 in America East play, while Stony Brook is now 19-10 on the season and remains in first place in the America East with a 15-3 record. 

Game One
Stony Brook jumped out to the aforementioned 4-0 lead, plating four runs in the second after a scoreless first inning. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Highlanders scored five times, all with two outs, in the home half of the second. NJIT's first three runs came courtesy of Albert Choi's first home run of the season, and then the Highlanders continued the rally as a Daniel Helfgott double scored Paul Franzoni and Julio Marcano to put NJIT in front.

Veteran starting pitcher Tyler Stafflinger settled in from there, tossing three scoreless innings as the Highlanders remained in front 5-4 before he handed the ball to closer Jake Rappaport to get the final six outs.

Rappaport, who entered the day with an America East-best five saves, sent the Seawolves down in order in the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jared Donnelly hit a solo shot to give NJIT a two-run lead, which would become very important as Stony Brook opened up the final inning of the game with a home run to make the score 6-5.

Rappaport retired the next three hitters in order and NJIT held on to get the win.

Marcano and Helfgott each recorded two hits to pace NJIT.

Game Two
After three scoreless innings, the Highlanders broke through first plating a pair of runs on RBI singles from Kevin Putsky and Kevin Blum. 

NJIT starting pitcher Ryan Fischer continued his successful sophomore season, pitching five scoreless innings before Stony Brook tied the game with two outs in the top of the sixth.

Freshman Aidan Kidd came out of the bullpen and kept the score 2-2 mid-way through the seventh inning and in the bottom of the inning Albert Choi laced a single to centerfield and took advantage of a Seawolves' error, coming all the way around to score and give the Highlanders a 3-2 lead.

Kidd was able to get the first two outs in the eighth and then handled the ball to Rappaport, who picked up where he left off in game one, getting a huge strikeout with two runners on and keeping NJIT in front. 

The Highlanders couldn't get the insurance run this time around, but it wasn't needed as Rappaport worked around a leadoff single to get three outs and clinch the double header sweep. Kidd earned his first-career win on the mound, while Rappaport picked up his second save of the afternoon and seventh of the season.

Six different NJIT players recorded a hit in the game two win, including Blum who had a pair. 

On Deck
NJIT and Stony Brook will wrap up their four-game series on Sunday at Jim Hynes Stadium in Union, NJ. First pitch of game one of Sunday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1pm. Spectators will not be permitted at Sunday's games, but both ends of the doubleheader will be streamed on AmericaEast.TV.