Norfolk, VA - Senior Grant Vurpillat put together the best start of his career to lead the NJIT baseball team to a 10-4 victory over host Norfolk State on Sunday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field.

The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Highlanders (3-7) in the series finale against the Spartans (3-6).

Vurpillat pitched into the seventh inning for the first time in his career, striking out a career-high nine batters while scattering four hits and not walking a hitter or allowing a run. 

The Highlanders led 3-0 before Vurpillat even took the mound, thanks to a two-run triple from Albert Choi, who later scored on a wild pitch.

NJIT scored a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to go ahead 5-0 and made the score 8-0 with three more runs in the eighth inning.

Nofolk State finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth with a pair of runs, but the Highlanders answered immediately, scoring two more times in the ninth to go ahead 10-2, before ultimately winning by the six-run margin.

David Marcano was NJIT's top offensive performer on Sunday, reaching base six times, three via hit, two by walks, and he was also hit by a pitch.

Kevin Putsky started in right field for the second time this season and also had an impressive day at the plate, recording three hits, including his second-career home run. Julio Marcano and Paul Franzoni both finished with two hits in the win.

The Highlanders will return to the diamond on Friday when they take on Villanova in the first game of a three-game series in Pennsylvania. First pitch for Friday's game is slated for 3pm.