BALTIMORE, MD - Senior Julio Marcano and sophomore Albert Choi had huge days at the plate to lead the NJIT baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of host UMBC in America East action at Alumni Field on Saturday. Marcano, Choi, and the Highlanders ran away with game one 17-4, before coming from behind to take game two 10-7 in 10 innings.

NJIT is now 13-19 on the season, including 12-14 in America East play, while UMBC's overall record stands at 14-16 and the Retrievers are 9-16 in America East action.

Game One
Choi set the tone for the game with a leadoff triple and scored the game's first run a battler later when he was singled home by Marcano. NJIT added two more runs in the top of the first courtesy of a two-out, two-RBI double from Andrew Eppinger.

The Highlanders went on to score at least two runs in five of the seven innings, en route to the 13-run victory, which tied their highest margin of victory this season. 

Choi and Marcano both had big games at the plate as Choi was 3-for-3 with two walks and a pair of triples, while Marcano was 2-for-3 with a walk. Choi knocked in four runs, while Marcano tallied five RBI's with three of them coming on a sixth-inning home run, his seventh of the season. Kevin Putsky also shined offensively with a pair of hits, including his first-career home run.

Tyler Stafflinger took advantage of the early lead, tossing five innings and allowing just two earned runs on three hits while not walking a batter. Stafflinger earned the victory on the mound, his third of the season. Drew Standen relieved Stafflinger and struck out three in the final two innings of the game.

Game Two
UMBC looked to be ready to get the doubleheader split as the hosts led 7-4 in the ninth inning. Marcano had other ideas, however, tying the game with a three-run home run in what appeared to be the Highlanders final at bat.

Jake Rappaport sent the Retrievers down in order in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings.

Choi continued his impressive day in the 10th, hitting a two-run home run, his second of the game and fourth extra base hit of the day, to put NJIT in front for the first time since it led 2-1 early.

The Highlanders added another run before Rappaport returned to the mound in the bottom of the 10th and once again shut down UMBC to clinch the wild, come-from-behind victory.

Reigning America East Rookie of the Week Croix Jenkins had another impressive outing out of the bullpen to keep the Highlanders within striking distance. The freshman tossed 3.2 scoreless innings, while striking out a career-high five hitters. His scoreless innings streak is now at 10.2.

On Deck
The Highlanders and Retrievers will close out their four-game series on Sunday with another doubleheader down in Baltimore. First pitch of game one is slated for 1pm back at Alumni Field.