Box Score JERSEY CITY, N.J. – NJIT answered a Saint Peter's four-run inning with a four-run inning of its own to rally for an 11-7 victory in non-conference baseball action on Tuesday.
Mike Ionta (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) paced the Peacocks (4-14) with three hits, three RBIs and a run scored while Jon Kristoffersen (Jefferson, N.J./Jefferson Township) registered three hits and two runs scored and Rob Moore (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood) added two hits, two runs RBIs and a run scored in the loss.
Jesse Uttendorfer posted three hits, three runs scored and an RBI for the Highlanders (9-15) while Bryan Haberstoh posted three hits, two runs scored and two RBIs in the winning effort.
Saint Peter's used a four-run inning to take the lead only to see NJIT answer in the top of the next frame to take the lead for good in battle of program's from neighboring towns.
After the Peacocks scored four times in the fifth, the Highlanders scored four times in the top of the sixth to erase a two-run margin and take a 9-7 advantage.
With two outs, Rex MacMillan hit an RBI single to center and Uttendorfer doubled home a run to tie the game at 7 before Edgar Badaraco and Cody Kramer each coaxed bases loaded walks to take a two-run lead.
Haberstohl then hit a two-run double in the seventh to seal an 11-7 victory.
Five runs were scored to open the game in the first inning after NJIT scored twice and Saint Peter's responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Justin Etts tripled home the first run of the game and Evan Pietronico hit a sacrifice fly to give the Highlanders an early 2-0 lead.
Tommy Toole (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) started the bottom of the frame with a single to right before Kristoffersen doubled down the left field line. Moore then brought both runners home on a single to center to even the game at 2. After Nick Ciocco (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill) singled to right center to put runners on the corners, Ciocco and Moore tried a double steal only to see Moore getting thrown out at the plate. Ionta then doubled down the left field line to score Ciocco to give the Peacocks a 3-2 edge.
The lead did not last long after Michael Anastasia hit a two-run homer to right field and Uttendorfer scored on an error to give NJIT a 5-3 advantage after two innings.
The margin stayed a two-run game in favor of the Newark program until Saint Peter's posted four runs in the fifth to retake the lead. Kristoffersen started the rally with a single through the right side before Moore doubled to right center. After a Ciocco walk to load the bases, Ionta singled to left center to score Kristoffersen and Moore and tie the game at 5. Ciocco touched home on Jason Midkiff's (Wanaque, N.J./Paramus Catholic) RBI groundout and James Spadaccini (Butler, N.J./Butler) singled home Ionta for a 7-5 lead.
The Highlanders then scored the final six runs of the game to earn the victory in Saint Peter's 2016 Jaroschak Field debut.
The Peacocks missed a golden opportunity in the seventh when they loaded the bases in the seventh with no outs to try to cut into the deficit. Ciocco walked, Ionta reached on a fielder's choice and Midkiff singled to left field to load the bases. Spadaccini then hit a fly ball to the right fielder, who caught the ball and threw a perfect strike to the plate to nail down Ciocco for the double play to end the threat.
Nick Arre (Hillsdale, N.Y./Taconic Hills) took the loss for Saint Peter's.
The Peacocks return to action on Wednesday at Lehigh. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
