LITTLE FALLS, NJ - The NJIT baseball team wrapped up its five-game homestand the same way they started it, dominating the way to a 19-7 victory over visiting Hofstra on Tuesday evening at Yogi Berra Stadium.

NJIT finished the homestand with a 4-1 record and averaged 14.8 runs per game over the stretch, scoring at least seven runs in all five games. The only game the Highlanders lost over their last five was a 13-inning affair against UMBC on Saturday night. 

The Highlanders saw their freshmen put up big numbers on Tuesday as the team's first-year players combined for 10 hits, eight RBI, and seven runs scored.

Cade Ladehoff went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored from the leadoff spot, while redshirt-freshman Cole Campbell, the reigning America East Rookie of the Week, was 3-for-5, with three RBI and three runs scored. AJ Soldra had the best offensive game of his young career, finishing 3-for-6 with a pair of runs. Two of Soldra's hits were doubles and the third was a triple.

NJIT's veterans were by no means quiet in the team's seventh victory in 10 home games this season. Graduate student Luke Longo, who was named America East Player of the Week earlier Tuesday, hit a grand slam, while Ray Ortiz also went deep and Albert Choi connected on the 197th hit of his five-year career. 

Hofstra scored the first four runs of the game before the Highlanders got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second to make it 4-1. The Pride went back ahead by four, 5-1, with another run in the fourth.

From there it was all NJIT as the Highlanders scored 16 runs over the next three innings to break the game open. NJIT plated four runs in both the fourth and fifth innings and then followed it up with an eight-spot in the sixth that was highlighted by Longo's grand slam, the 36th home run of his career. 

All nine NJIT starters finished with at least one hit. Austin Francis scored three times and Ty Sallie knocked in three runs. Nick Vega was 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

Ladehoff now has 44 RBI which leads the America East and is one off the program-record set by Paul Franzoni in 2022. 
  Talon Mihalinac earned the mound decision for NJIT, the first win of his career. Mihalinac tossed 2.0 innings and allowed one run while striking out a pair. Andrew Eppinger also tossed 2.0 innings for his first appearance on the mound this season. Eppinger allowed one run. Aaron Park got the final five outs for the Highlanders, pitching a scoreless 1.2 innings and striking out one. 

NJIT will look to continue its hot streak on the road this weekend when it travels to UAlbany for a three-game America East series. The Highlanders and Great Danes kick off the series on Friday at 3pm.