LITTLE FALLS, N.J. — The NJIT baseball team falls to Niagara in the series opener, 6–3, on Friday afternoon in a non-conference matchup at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The Purple Eagles struck first in the opening frame with an RBI single to take a 1–0 lead. The Highlanders answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning when Lorenzo Camilleri came around to score on a fielder's choice tying the game at 1–1.

After a scoreless stretch through the middle innings, the Purple Eagles regained the lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly but once again, the Highlanders responded in the bottom of the inning as Austin Francis delivered an RBI single to right field, evening the score at 2–2.

The Purple Eagles pulled ahead for good in the sixth after a Highlanders' error and wild pitch, allowing a run to score. The Purple Eagles added two more runs in the seventh, extending the lead to 5–2.

The Highlanders trimmed the deficit to 6–3 in the eighth inning when Jack Stead doubled to left-center, driving in Francis. However, the late rally attempt fell short and the Purple Eagles pulled away with the win. 

At the plate, Stead finished 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Francis reached base four times, going 1-for-1 with three walks, an RBI, and a run scored. Andrew Hart added NJIT's third hit and scored a run.

On the mound, Josh Willitts started for the Highlanders, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four over five innings. Tade Riordan (0-4) was charged with the loss after surrendering three runs in two innings of relief and Tyler Kim struck out four over the final two innings.

Next Up
NJIT returns to action on Saturday, the 14th as the Highlanders host Niagara for game two of the series starting at 12 p.m. at Yogi Berra Stadium.