Box Score / Box Score (PDF) / Chris Smith Program Graphic

Staten Island, NY - NJIT jumped out to a 4-0 lead before holding off a late-charging Wagner squad by a 4-3 count at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. In defeat, the Seahawks fall to 19-28 while the Highlanders improve to 18-19.

The Green & White outhit the visitors by a 9-7 count while drawing five walks, but were doomed by hitting .222 (2-for-9) with runners in scoring position.

Wagner threatened in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out rally, only to be denied by the NJIT defense. Senior Eddie Brown (Edison, NJ / St. Joseph's (Metuchen) / Seton Hall) drew a walk, before freshman Nick Dini (Monroe Township, NJ / Monroe Township) blasted a double to left field. However, on the play Brown was thrown out at the plate while trying to score for the final out of the frame.

The Highlanders opened the scoring in the top of the third inning with three unearned runs, fueled by two Seahawk errors. NJIT  would add another run in the top of the fourth inning in opening up a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Seahawks finally got on the board with a pair of runs. Sophomore Ian Miller (Downingtown, PA / Bishop Shanahan) led off with a bunt single, before taking second on an errant throw by the catcher. Miller then swiped his Northeast Conference (NEC) leading 28th base of the year. Senior Tommy Higgins (Port Monmouth, NJ / Red Bank Catholic) chased home Miller with a RBI ground out for the first Green & White run of the game. Later in the frame with two outs, Dini blasted his league-leading fifth triple of the year to right center, before coming home on a wild pitch to trim the deficit to 4-2.

Wagner again threatened to score in the bottom of the seventh inning as freshman Jason Gordon (Baltimore, MD / Archbishop Curley) drew a two-out walk, before Miller notched his team-leading 20th multi-hit game of the year with an infield single. However, the pair would be stranded as Highlander reliever Joe Fasano induced an inning-ending fielder's choice.

The Seahawks would again place a pair of runners on base in the bottom of the eighth with one out as Dini and junior Jayson Keel (Starkville, MS / Starkville / Holmes CC) drew back-to-back walks. This time the Green & White converted as junior Nick Alfano (Coral Springs, FL / North Broward Prep) plated Dini with a RBI single up the middle while moving Keel to third.

In the bottom of the ninth inning Wagner again threatened as Gordon doubled with one out, before moving to third on a two-out infield single by Higgins. Austin McAuliffe prevented the Seahawks from tying the game by inducing a pop up for the final out of the game.

Dini led the way, going 2-for-3 with a double and a triple while scoring two runs. Higgins and Miller each also recorded multiple-hits, finishing up 2-for-5.

Tom Bouck and Ed Charlton each recorded two hits to pace the NJIT effort.

Highlander starter Matt Coughlin (3-1) earned the win, striking out three while yielding two runs on six hits over 6.0 innings. McAuliffe struck out two over 1.2 innings in collecting his first save.

Junior RHP Dakota Dvorak (Pompano Beach, FL / North Broward Prep) was the tough-luck loser, allowing three unearned runs over 2.0 innings.  Standing out on the mound was the trio of sophomore RHP Nick Pavia (Staten Island, NY / St. Joseph By The Sea), freshman Max Schmardel (Eatontown, NJ / Monmouth Regional) and classmate Anthony Battaglia (Staten Island, NY / St. Joseph By The Sea), which combined to strike out nine over 7.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball.

Wagner returns to action on Friday, May 4 at 3:00 pm when the Seahawks host Sacred Heart.