BALTIMORE, MD -- The NJIT baseball team drops final series opener to UMBC, 12-4, on Thursday night.
The Highlanders broke onto the scoreboard in the top of the second when Dillon Can doubled down the left field line and Brody Levin followed with a walk before Jack Stead launched a three-run home run to center field, giving the Highlanders an early 3-0 advantage.
The Retreivers answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. A grand slam highlighted the frame where the Retrievers plated five runs, to take the lead 5-3.
The Retrievers added three more runs in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 8-3.
The Highlanders got a run back in the seventh when Nick Vega launched a solo home run to center field, trimming the deficit to 8-4. Vega finished 2-for-4 with a homer and a double to lead the Highlanders offensively.
The Retrievers responded with four runs in the bottom of the seventh to push the lead to 12-4.
Stead paced the Highlanders with three RBIs on his second-inning homer, while Can and CJ Wisniewski each added doubles. Campbell reached base twice with a pair of walks.
Starter Mark Scamardella took the loss after allowing eight runs on nine hits over 3.2 innings while striking out three. Out of the bullpen, Tade Riordan tossed 3.0 innings in relief and struck out one, while Hayden Estes worked 1.1 scoreless innings to close out the game for the Highlanders.
Up Next
NJIT continues America East action on Friday, the 15th as the Highlanders look to bounce back in game two of the series at UMBC with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
