LITTLE FALLS, N.J. — The NJIT baseball team drops season opener to Binghamton, 6-3, on Friday night at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The Bearcats opened the scoring in the top of the first with a three-run home run and later added another run in the frame to take an early 4-0 lead. The Highlanders answered in the bottom half when Cole Campbell walked, stole second, and later scored on a wild pitch to get the Highlanders on the board.

After the Bearcats extended the lead to 5-1 on a solo home run in the fifth, the Highlanders responded in the bottom half of the inning. Dillon Can worked a walk and Conner Rippo was hit by a pitch to put two runners aboard before Rowin O'Connor delivered an RBI single to center field to cut the deficit to 5-2.

The Highlanders continued to apply pressure late in the game. In the ninth inning, Rippo again reached after being hit by a pitch and advanced into scoring position before Brody Levin singled through the left side. O'Connor followed with a sacrifice fly to bring Rippo home and trim the lead to three, but the rally stalled there.

O'Connor paced the Highlanders offensively with two hits and two RBIs, while Campbell, Ty Sallie, Can, and Levin each added a hit for the Highlanders.

On the mound, Josh Willitts turned in a strong effort after the opening frame, settling in to toss seven innings while allowing five runs, three of which were earned, and striking out five. Tate Jones added two innings of relief and allowed one run while striking out two.

Next Up
The Highlanders hosts Binghamton for game two of the series at Yogi Berra Stadium on Saturday, the 4th with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m.