Vurpillat's Gem Leads NJIT to Shutout Victory vs. Hartford

Grant Vurpillat tossed eight shutout innings on Saturday to lead the NJIT baseball team to a 5-0 victory over visiting Hartford in America East Conference action at Jim Hynes Stadium.

Vurpillat struck out eight and retired 16 straight Hartford hitters following a bunt single to lead off the game. The senior lefthander allowed just three hits and walked a pair before handing the ball to fifth-year senior closer Jake Rappaport, who sent down the Hawks in order in the ninth inning. 

NJIT went ahead 1-0 in the third inning when Jared Donnelly singled and came around to score on three-straight wild pitches.

The game remained 1-0 for several innings as Vurpillat coasted until getting himself into a jam in the top of the seventh. Hartford had runners at first and second with no outs and second and third with one out, but Vurpillat was able to get a strikeout and a groundout to escape trouble and hold on to the shutout. 

NJIT's offense took over from there as David Marcano hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning and Nick Hussey followed that up with a two-run home run of his own in the bottom of the eighth. 

All five of the Highlanders' runs on Saturday came with two outs as the squad took care of business in its third-straight victory. 

Vurpillat improved to 2-1 on the season and hasn't allowed a run over 14.1 innings in his last two starts (both wins).

NJIT clinched the series over Hartford with Saturday's win and will look for the three-game sweep when the teams meet again on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. back at Jim Hynes Stadium in Union.