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STONY BROOK, NY - The NJIT baseball team trailed Maine 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth on Friday, but got a sacrifice fly from Daniel Helfgott and RBI single from Luke Longo to plate a pair of runs, win the game, and earn a spot in Saturday's America East Tournament Championship game back at Stony Brook's Joe Nathan Field

"This has been like a dream," exclaimed Longo. "It's been an amazing experience growing as a part of the culture with the rest of these guys."

The victory increased a pair of program records for NJIT as the Highlanders won their ninth-straight game and 26th of the season. 

Julio Marcano opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, before David Marcano roped a double down the left field line to give the Highlanders a pair of runners in scoring position with no outs.

Andrew Eppinger steppled up to the plate to pinch hit and was intentionally walked to set the stage for Helfgott. The sophomore delivered, hitting a line drive with two strikes to centerfield to score Julio Marcano.

Longo then stepped up to the plate and connected on a pitch that sailed over the Black Bears' left fielder's head and scored David Marcano. The NJIT dugout erupted and mobbed Longo as he turned past first base.

"The guys in front of me got their job done," added Longo. "It was a great team effort to win the game."

While the NJIT offense was able to clinch the win in the bottom of the ninth, it was the pitching that kept the Highlanders in striking distance as the bats were cool for the first eight innings.

Starting pitcher Ryan Fischer was tremendous, tossing 7.1 innings and only allowing one earned run. Jake Rappaport relieved Fischer and worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the eighth, before pitching a perfect ninth to keep the score 1-0. Rappaport, who earned his program-record 10th save in Thursday's victory over Albany, won his program-record eighth game of the season against Maine. 

"This is the greatest team I've ever been with, and I can't wait to keep playing with them," concluded Longo (after two different gatorade bucket showers from his teammates).

NJIT will take on either Maine or Stony Brook in the Championship on Saturday afternoon. Either opponent would need to beat the Highlanders twice to win the Championship, while NJIT would need just one win. Game time is slated for 2:30pm back at Stony Brook, but stay tuned to NJITHighlanders.com and the NJIT baseball team's social media accounts for more information about game times as weather may be a factor.