LITTLE FALLS, N.J. -- The NJIT baseball team defeats Bryant, 5-3, on senior day powered by a three-run blast from Ty Sallie, Sunday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium.
Brandon Peterson set the tone early, working 6.0 scoreless innings and allowing just four hits while striking out six and walking two. The right-hander worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the opening inning and stranded runners in scoring position in both the third and fifth to preserve the early lead.
The Highlanders broke through in the third inning when Sheehan O'Connor led off with a single and later scored on an RBI base hit from Rowin O'Connor, giving the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.
Then in the fifth the Highlanders opened the inning with a double from CJ Wisniewski before Sheehan O'Connor dropped down a bunt single to put two aboard. Two batters later, Ty Sallie crushed a three-run home run to right-center, stretching the lead to 4-0. Later in the frame, Rowin O'Connor came around to score on a wild pitch, extending the advantage to 5-0.
Out of the bullpen, Tade Riordan was electric in relief, striking out five over 2.0 perfect innings to bridge the game into the ninth.
The Bulldogs made things interesting in the final frame, scoring three runs to cut the Highlanders' lead to 5-3. After the Bulldogs brought the tying run to the plate, Tate Jones entered and recorded the final out to earn his first save of the season and seal the win.
Sallie paced the Highlanders offensively, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Sheehan O'Connor added two hits and scored twice, while Levin also posted a multi-hit afternoon.
Next Up
The Highlanders return to action on Tuesday, the 5th hosting Manhattan in the final home game of the season at 6 p.m. at Yogi Berra Stadium.
