STONY BROOK, NY - Host Stony Brook topped NJIT 5-3 in the first of three America East Conference games this weekend at Joe Nathan Field.

The Seawolves (26-24) led 5-2 heading into the ninth-inning and were able to close the game out despite the Highlanders (22-24) getting the tying-run to the plate with one out.

Julio Marcano started the rally with his America East-leading 22nd double of the season and was driven home two batters later when Paul Franzoni hit a double of his own.

Stony Brook went to its bullpen for the first time all afternoon and was able to get a strikeout ground out and a ground out to clinch the series-opening victory. 

NJIT scored the first run of the game when Marcano singled home Ray Ortiz, who led off the third inning with a double. 

The Seawolves answered right away with a solo home run to lead off the home half of the third and took the lead later in the inning on a two-out double. NJIT was able to keep the score 2-1 after three thanks to a Albert Choi throw that gunned out a Stony Brook runner at the plate to end the inning.

Friday's game remained 2-1 until the top of the fifth when Ortiz hit his second extra-base-hit of the afternoon, a one-out triple, and scored one batter later thanks to a sacrifice fly from Jared Donnelly. 

Both teams put up zeros in their next at bats before the hosts scored three times in the sixth to take a late lead that they held on to.

NJIT was unable to solve SBU starter Ben Fero, who struck out 11 over 8.2 innings pitched. Marcano, Ortiz, and Franzoni each recorded two of the Highlanders' six hits.

David Marcano stole a pair of bases and now has 52 all-time, to tie teammate Albert Choi for second in program history. The pair sit just two off the program record of 54.

Julio Marcano's two hits bring his career total to 227 and the veteran needs four more to tie the program record of 231.

The Highlanders and Seawolves will meet again on Friday at 3pm in game two of the series back at Joe Nathan Field.