Bullpen and Late Offensive Effort Lead the Highlanders Past Binghamton

The NJIT baseball team battled back from three different deficits on Sunday before ultimately defeating host Binghamton 8-5 in America East Conference action at the Bearcats Baseball Complex. 

The Highlanders, who were already defeated by Binghamton in the first two games of this weekend's three-game series, went behind, 2-0, 4-2, and 5-4, before scoring three runs in the eighth and one more in the ninth to avoid the sweep in both team's first conference series of the season.

Binghamton scored twice in the first before the Highlanders tied things up with two runs in the third, courtesy of an RBI single from Albert Choi and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Cade Ladehoff, the freshman's 20th RBI of the season. 

The Bearcats immediately went back ahead in the home half of the third, but NJIT's Ty Sallie crushed his first home run of the season, a two-out, two-run shot in the fourth to tie things back up.

After Binghamton took one more lead in the fifth on a wild pitch, Liam Reiner was able to keep the score 5-4 until the Highlanders offense was able to take over.

Reiner entered with two outs in the fifth and tossed 3.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen. 

The NJIT offense was able to tie the game and take the lead in the eighth with three runs. AJ Soldra tied things up at 5-5 with a sacrifice fly before an RBI double from Dillon Can and a bases loaded walk drawn by Kevin Putsky gave the Highlanders a 7-5 advantage.

NJIT increased its lead to three runs in the top of the ninth when Soldra singled to score Ladehoff. 

Reiner handed the ball to Drew Standen for the ninth and Standen worked around a pair of singles to toss a scoreless frame and earn his second save of the season. 

Can, Luke Longo, and Austin Francis each recorded a pair of hits in the win to lead the NJIT offense.

The Highlanders return to the diamond on Wednesday when they make the short trip to South Orange to take on Seton Hall. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.