May 08, 2011
NYIT Baseball Splits Series with NJIT

• Box Score (PDF)

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (May 8, 2011) - After dropping to 2-1 in the series against Great West Conference rivals NJIT, the NYIT Bears rallied for a 14-6 triumph on Sunday to split the series two games each. NYIT rallied for eight runs in the seventh inning for the win. The Bears are now 12-26 on the season and 8-9 in GWC play, while the Highlanders dropped to 13-31 overall and 6-14 in league action.

Sophomore Steve McNamara (Levittown, N.Y.) and junior Sebastian Grazziani (Whitestone, N.Y.) each scored a game-high three runs, while Grazziani and sophomore Ali Rodriguez (Yorktown, Va.) each tallied three RBI in the outing. Senior Effrey Valdez (Flushing, N.Y.) batted .750 (3-for-4) with two runs and two RBI. Valdez needs just five more hits to be the first Bear to reach a career 300.

The battle on the mound went to sophomore Ryan Dillabough (Whitby, Ontario, Canada). He improved to 3-3 on the season after six innings of work where he surrendered five runs on nine hits, two of which were earned. He also struck out six. The loss was dealt to Austin McAuliffe (0-6), who went 5.0 innings, giving up six runs and striking out five.

The Bears jumped on the scoreboard first as Valdez singled up the middle to drive home junior Ryan Campbell (Bellmore, N.Y.). However, the Highlanders responded with three runs in the second inning to take control of the scoreboard. NYIT retaliated with a run in the bottom half and the score remained 3-2 until the fourth inning. Grazziani was plated on a Rodriguez infield single.

NYIT pushed itself to a 5-3 edge by the end of the fifth inning. In the fourth, McNamara hit a leadoff single and then scored as Grazziani homered to left center field. It was his third home run of the season. In the fifth, the Bears tacked on an insurance run as Valdez homered for the ninth time this season. His blast went beyond right center. 

Although NJIT equalized the score with a two-run sixth inning, NYIT's bats continued to shine as another leadoff single and stolen base from McNamara would put him in scoring position. A single from sophomore Robert Loftus (Massapequa, N.Y.) advanced him to third but a throwing error by the Highlander's left fielder plated the run. NYIT led 6-5.

The Bears quickly put to runners on in the seventh as Valdez and senior Jerry Smith (Nesconset, N.Y.) were walked and hit by a pitch, respectively. After a pitching change, both runners advanced on a sacrifice from freshman Rob Cafiero (Bethpage, N.Y.). The Bears then loaded the bases as McNamara was intentionally walked. The third walk of the inning was issued to Grazziani and that plated Valdez for what would prove to be the game-winning run. NYIT led 7-5.

However the spurt was no where near completion. The bases remained loaded for senior George Carroll (Bayside, N.Y.), who punched one through the left side to score both Smith and McNamara. Loftus then drove home Grazziani with an infield single. The Bears led 10-5. Designated hitter Rodriguez continued the one-out rally with a double to right field that brought home Carroll and Loftus. Rodriguez then stole third before Campbell walked to fill the corners. The seventh run of the inning was scored as Rodriguez stole home and Campbell advanced around. The shortstop tallied the Bears final run of the game as Smith, who walked to get on, was picked off. NYIT led 14-5.

The Highlanders would score one in the ninth off of reliever Michael Iglesias (Bronx, N.Y.) for the final 14-6.

NYIT returns to action on Tuesday, May 10 on the road at long-time rival St. John's. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Jack Kaiser Stadium in Queens, N.Y.