UNION, NJ - The NJIT baseball team was defeated 7-5 by visiting Hartford on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series between the two teams at Jim Hynes Stadium.

The Highlanders (6-9) won the first two contests of the three-game set on Friday and Saturday to clinch the series prior to Sunday's game against the Hawks (1-11). 

Hartford got on the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, but it didn't take the Highlanders long to answer. David Marcano led off the home half of the first inning with a single and came around to score one batter later as his twin brother Julio Marcano blasted a home run to left field. The home run was the 23rd of Julio Marcano's career, which sets a new Division I program record.

NJIT took a 3-2 lead an inning later when Isiah Daubon singled home Kevin Putsky, who reached on a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. 

The Hawks tied the game in the third inning with a solo home run, but NJIT went back ahead an inning later when Jared Donnelly hit a double to score Nick Hussey. The Highlanders extended their lead to 5-3 in the sixth inning on a bases loaded single by David Marcano that scored Putsky for the second time of the game.

NJIT led 5-3 with two outs in the seventh when Derek Tenney hit a 0-2 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run game-tying home run. The Hawks added two more runs in the eighth and, while NJIT was able to get the tying run to the plate in both the eighth and ninth innings, the Highlanders were unable to score another run and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.

Daubon and David Marcano each had two hits to pace the NJIT offense, while Evan Gegeckas was the Highlanders' top pitcher on Sunday. Gegeckas tossed three scoreless innings out of the bullpen and struck out five hitters.

NJIT will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday it makes the short trip to South Orange for a non-conference game at Seton Hall. First pitch is currently scheduled for 4pm.