Box Score Queens, N.Y. – Four Highlanders recorded multi-hit performances and five drove in two or more runs as the NJIT baseball team posted an impressive series opening victory over reigning BIG EAST champion St. John's, 18-5, on Friday afternoon. The Highlander attack was anchored by an 11-run fifth inning which broke the game open.
NJIT's bats got going right off the bus, putting up three spot in the top of the first. The first three Highlander batters all reached base safely, with
Ray Ortiz following up back-to-back walks with an RBI single to center to open the scoring.
Ty Sallie would score the second run of the frame by scoring on a passed ball, while Ortiz would later cross home plate on an RBI groundout from
Austin Francis.
After St. John's pulled with a run with tallies in the first and third innings, Sallie would push the NJIT lead back to three with a fourth inning two-run double. The Red Storm would respond again in the bottom half with a leadoff solo home run to make it a 5-3 game, but the following inning would see the Highlanders put their stamp on the contest.
After a flyout to start the inning, the next 13 batters reached base safely for NJIT as they rallied for 11 runs in the frame.
Nick Vega would single home the first run of the inning, followed by a bases loaded walk drawn by
Cole Campbell. Sallie would double his RBI total for the day with a two-run single one batter later, giving NJIT a six-run edge.
Andrew Eppinger,
Jaden Caballero and
Michael Doyle would all register RBI's later in the inning, while Vega would cap the rally with his second RBI single of the inning. All told, NJIT sent 16 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs on just five base hits.
Holden deJong got the start for NJIT, working the first four innings while allowing three earned runs and striking out five.
MT Morrissey tossed the final five innings and earned the win, striking out three in his outing.
Up Next
NJIT will go for the series win on Saturday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
