Highlanders Split Saturday Doubleheader with Jacksonville

NJIT split a doubleheader with Jacksonville Saturday, as the Dolphins took game one 5-2 while the Highlanders won the nightcap, 5-2, behind strong pitching from senior RHP Sean Lubreski and closer RHP Joe Georgini in ASUN Conference action at Somerset Patriots TD Ball Park Saturday.

In game one, the Dolphins (18-10, 5-1 ASUN) used four late runs to take the lead in game one and the Highlanders (9-12-1, 2-4 ASUN) scored four runs in the seventh inning of the nightcap to earn the 5-2 victory.

Game One | Jacksonville 5, NJIT 2 (Final)
LHP Jagger McCoy (1-1) picked up his first win of the season, pitching the final three innings, holding the Highlanders scoreless and allowing just one hit. Starter Trent Palmer pitched 6.0 innings, letting up five hits and two runs, while striking out seven Highlanders.

NJIT LHP Jake Rappaport (1-2) was credited with the loss, pitching 2.0 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. NJIT starter Tyler Stafflinger took the no-decision pitching seven strong innings, giving up just one hit on four runs while striking out four Dolphin batters.

Jacksonville C Jacob Southern went 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead Dolphins while 3B Angel Camacho (1-for-5) and 2B Scott Dubrule (1-for-4) each drove in a run in the victory. NJIT's 1B Nick Hussey paced the home team, going 2-for-4 with one RBI while RF Matthew Cocciadiferro finished 1-for-4, driving in one run.

NJIT jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second with a two-out RBI base hit to left field by 1B Nick Hussey, scoring C Paul Franzoni, who walked in  the inning. Jacksonville knotted the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth with a one-out RBI single to left field by C Jacob Southern.

NJIT broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out double to left center by RF Matthew Cocciadiferro, scoring Franzoni, who walked for the second time.

Jacksonville scored pair of runs in the top of the eighth and ninth, taking a 5-2 lead.

Game Two | NJIT 5, Jacksonville 2 (Final)
Lubreski, the Highlander senior co-captain registered his third win of the season, moving to 3-4 on the year, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing seven hits and two runs. Reliever Georgini held the Dolphins scoreless over the final 2.0 innings, letting up one hit, recording his first collegiate save.

Cocciadiferro and Etts knocked in a pair of runs, as both Highlanders finished 1-for-4.  Senior OF Michael Anastasia finished 3-for-3 with one RBI and two runs.

Jacksonville opened the scoring in the top of the first with an RBI fielder's choice by 2B Scott Dubrule and followed up with a single run in the third on Highlander error after a sacrifice bunt by LF Cory Heffron for a 2-0 advantage.

NJIT got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth on an RBI groundout to short by SS Justin Etts, driving in CF Michael Anastasia, who led off the inning with a triple to right center.

With bases loaded for the Dolphins in the top of the sixth, Cocciadierro made a diving catch, keeping runs off the board for the visitors.

A big rally for the Highlanders in the bottom of the seventh, was sparked by an RBI single to right field, the third hit of the game for CF Michael Anastasia, scoring Nick Hussey.  Hussey singled back to the pitcher, advanced to second on failed pickoff by the Dolphin pitcher, advanced to third on a groundout to second by PH Tom Brady and scored the game-tying run on an RBI single by Anastasia. The Highlanders regained the lead, 3-2, on an RBI single up the middle by Etts, driving in Anastasia and Cocciadiferro registered a big two-out two-run single, scoring two for a 5-2 advantage.

The Dolphins threatened in the ninth, putting two on with one out, but Georgini closed the door, securing his first save of his collegiate career. 

NJIT will be back in action on April 3 at Rider in Lawrenceville, N.J. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.