Vestal, N.Y. – Ray Ortiz launched three home runs and drove in five runs on the night, but NJIT dropped the opening game of its three-game series at Binghamton on Friday night, 7-6.
How it Happened
Ortiz got going right away, following up a
Ty Sallie single by launching the first pitch he saw over the wall in left center to give the Highlanders an early 2-0 lead. The Bearcats would respond with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, but Ortiz would get the tally back in the third by connecting on his second round-tripper in as many at-bats.
The lead would maintain itself for NJIT through the middle innings, as starter
Nate DeSchryver was able to work 1-2-3 fourth and fifth innings. After walking the leadoff batter in the sixth, DeSchryver's day was finished after throwing 90 pitches. Binghamton would get to the Highlander bullpen, plating three-runs on a double to take a 4-3 lead into the seventh.
In the top of the frame, NJIT was able to tie it back up after a double play hit into by Ortiz brought home the tying run. The Bearcats would answer right back with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh and another important insurance run in the eighth to take a 7-4 lead into the ninth.
With the Highlanders down to their final outs, Ortiz kept the visitors in it with another big swing. The shortstop sent a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left field for his third home run of the game, pulling NJIT within a run, 7-6. Afterwards,
Cole Campbell drew a two-out walk to put the tying run aboard, but a flyout ended the game and stopped a potential game-tying rally.
Up Next
NJIT and Binghamton square off at 11 a.m. on Saturday in game two of their weekend series.
