UNION, NJ--NJIT clinched the programs first-ever spot in America East Conference postseason tournament while sweeping a doubleheader from UMBC at Jim Hynes Stadium on the campus of Kean University. NJIT took game one 3-2 before completing Friday's sweep with a 7-1 victory in game two.
The last time the Highlanders competed in postseason dates back to 2018, when NJIT competed in the ASUN Conference.
With the pair of wins on Friday, NJIT improved to .500, 22-22 overall and 21-17 in the America East while UMBC dropped to 17-24 overall and 17-24 in the conference.
On Deck
NJIT and UMBC will conclude the regular season on Saturday, May 22. First pitch is set for 12Noon on the America East Digital Network. Prior to the contest, NJIT will honor its graduating seniors, beginning at 11:30am.
Game One Recap | NJIT 3, UMBC 2
NJIT jumped out to a 3-0 lead after four complete innings, plating a run in the second and two in the fourth.
Senior Paul Franzoni scored the first run of the contest on a fielder's choice by graduate student Kevin Blum. Franzoni scored again in the fourth inning on a wild pitch and Blum knocked in the second run of the game with a sacrifice fly to center.
UMBC would score a pair of runs in the top of the fifth but the Highlander bullpen secured the victory.
NJIT starting pitcher Tyler Stafflinger evened his record to 5-5 on the season, pitching five innings and striking out a career-best 10 Retriever batters. Lefty reliever Jake Rappaport pitched two scoreless innings, striking out one batter and recording his program-best ninth save.
Franzoni finished game one 2-for-3 with two runs while Nick Hussey went 2-for-2 with one run.
Game Two Recap | NJIT 7, UMBC 1
NJIT got on the board first in game one, after an RBI single up the middle by senior Matthew Cocciadiferro. The Highlanders increased its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second on a double down the right field line by 3B Jared Donnelly.
UMBC tallied one run in the top of the sixth.
NJIT opened up the game in the bottom of the six, taking a 6-1 advantage, scoring four runs on a pair of bases loaded walks, a Retriever error and sacrifice fly by Julio Marcano, which marked his 100th career RBI.
The Highlanders added a run in the eighth on a single to left field by David Marcano.
NJIT starting pitcher Ryan Fischer picked up the win, improving to 4-3 on the season, pitching six innings while fanning five Retriever batters. Croix Jenkins recorded his first career save, pitching three scoreless innings and striking out two batters.
Cocciadiferro finished 3-for-5 with an RBI, Donnelly went 2-for-3 with two RBI, including a pair of doubles and Daniel Helfgott went 2-for-5 with one run scored.
