Newark, NJ – Stetson's hope for a six-game ASUN win streak came to a jarring halt on Sunday as NJIT blasted a pair of home runs as part of an 11-hit attack in an 8-1 victory over the Hatters.
With the loss the Hatters fall to 30-11 overall and 6-3 in ASUN play. The Highlanders improved to 16-16 overall, 4-8 in league play. It was the first win for NJIT in nine tries against Stetson.
The Highlanders broke on top in the second inning when Paul Franzoni stunned Stetson starter
Mitchell Senger (5-2) with a two-run blast to left. It was the first home run Senger has allowed this spring.
Stetson cut the deficit in half in the third when
Jacob Koos singled off NJIT starter Tyler Stafflinger (4-3), stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a sacrifice fly by
Jorge Arenas.
The Highlanders tacked on a pair of runs in the fourth inning, a frame that started with a bunt hit by Jesse Uttendorfer that turned into a double when no one in the infield picked up the ball and it rolled into shallow right.
After giving up a walk, Highlanders' second baseman Tom Brady lined a double just inside the bag at third to plate two runs for a 4-1 NJIT lead.
That lead grew to 7-1 in the fifth when Uttendorfer blasted a three-run homer.
The Highlanders added an additional run in the sixth off reliever
Ben Onyshko on doubles by Franzoni and Evan Pietronico.
Highlanders reliever Johnny Malatesta blanked the Hatters over the final two innings to insure the NJIT win.
Stetson managed just seven hits in the game against the two NJIT pitchers, who forced the Hatters into 19 fly ball outs on the day.
Brooks Wilson was the only Stetson player with multiple hits in the game, picking up a pair of singles.
NJIT was led by Pietronico with three hits and two each from Julio Marcano, Uttendorfer and Franzoni.
The Hatters will be back at Melching Field on Tuesday afternoon for a short, one-game, home stand. Florida State will make its annual visit to DeLand with the first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.
Stetson will be back on the road next weekend in an ASUN series at North Florida.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.
