LITTLE FALLS, N.J. -- The NJIT baseball team battles into the ninth but fall to Maine, 5-3, Friday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The Highlanders struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Rowin O'Connor drove in Lorenzo Camilleri, who opened the frame with a triple to center field, giving the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.

The Highlanders extended the advantage in the third inning as Conner Rippo delivered an RBI single to score Dillon Can, making it 2-0. The Highlanders added another run in the fourth when Ty Sallie crossed the plate on a passed ball. Sallie swept two bags to make it 18 total on the season.

The Black Bears responded in the fifth inning with a pair of runs to cut the deficit to 3-2 before tying the game in the seventh.

The game remained tied into the ninth inning but a late Black Bear home run made it a 5-3 game.

The Highlanders threatened in the bottom half of the ninth after Camilleri drew a leadoff walk, but the Black Bears retired the next three batters to secure the victory.

At the plate, Cole Campbell led the way, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases. Sallie reached base three times with a hit and two walks while adding two stolen bases and a run scored. Rippo and Rowin O'Connor each recorded an RBI in the contest.

On the mound, starter Josh Willitts delivered a strong outing, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out eight across 6.1 innings. Brandon Peterson worked the final 2.2 innings in relief.

Next Up
The Highlanders hosts Maine for a double header at Yogi Berra Stadium on Saturday, the 18th with first pitch of game one scheduled for 2:00 p.m.