UNION, NJ - The NJIT baseball team was edged 5-4 by Maine, the first-place team in the America East Conference on Friday evening at Jim Hynes Stadium.

The Black Bears opened the scoring in the top of the first with a solo home run, but NJIT was able to tie things up an inning later when Michael Doyle singled home Andrew Elcock, who led the inning off with a walk and stole second base to get into scoring position. 

NJIT starting pitcher Ryan Fischer held Maine off the scoreboard until the fifth, when the Black Bears hit another home run to go back in front by one.

Maine added three runs in the sixth to go ahead 5-1, but the Highlanders didn't go down without a fight.

Ray Ortiz's 11th home run of the season made it 5-2 in the sixth and a two-out, two-run single from freshman Austin Francis got the Highlanders within one in the bottom of the eighth. 

NJIT appeared to get a baserunner in the ninth, but Ty Sallie was called out on a close play at first. With two outs, Jared Donnelly put a charge into a ball that was caught just in front of the warning track to preserve the win for Maine.

Fischer tied his season-high with nine strikeouts and was relieved by Holden de Jong who tossed a pair of scoreless innings to keep NJIT within striking distance. 

Luke Longo drew a walk in the eighth inning to extend his reached base streak to 31 games. 

As a result of UMBC's victory over UAlbany on Friday, NJIT clinched a spot in the America East Playoffs for the third-consecutive season.

The Highlanders will look to even things up on Saturday when they host Maine at 1pm back at Jim Hynes Stadium.