ELON, NC - The NJIT baseball team rallied to defeat host Elon 5-4 in the first of three non-conference games against the Phoenix this weekend at Latham Park.

Elon (1-4) led 4-0 after seven innings after its ace Justin Mitrovich struck out 11 Highlanders (1-3). 

NJIT plated two runners in the eighth and then tied the game in the ninth inning with two more runs. 

In the ninth, Andrew Eppinger got on base with a one-out pinch hit single to start the rally. Jack Stead pinch ran for Eppinger and moved to second on a single off the bat of Ty Sallie. Albert Choi's fourth hit of the game scored Stead to make it 4-3 and, after Luke Longo was intentionally walked, Kevin Putsky drew a two-out, bases loaded walk to tie the game.

Veteran Joe Georgini pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings and the Highlanders were able to score the go ahead run in the 10th thanks to a pair of freshmen. 

Freshman Cade Ladehoff was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the 10th and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Austin Francis. Ladehoff advanced to third on a wild pitch and then gave NJIT a 5-4 lead when Stead hit a sacrifice fly to right field. 

Georgini was perfect in the bottom of the 10th to clinch NJIT's first victory of the season. 

Aidan Kidd started on the mound for the Highlanders and struck out seven in five innings of work. Liam Reiner pitched three innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one run while striking out two.

Choi led the Highlanders offense with his four-hit game, while Putsky drove in a pair of runs. 

Elon and NJIT will meet for game two of the series on Saturday at 4pm.