Game One

Graduate student Andrelys Payamps opened the game strong, retiring two batters to start the first inning. A double by Cole Campbell then sparked a two-out rally, as the Highlanders plated three runs on a throwing error and two singles. The Maroon & Gold drew a pair of walks in the bottom of the first but could not capitalize, leaving both runners stranded.

The second inning was scoreless for both teams, and Payamps settled into a groove. However, a hit-by-pitch and NJIT's small-ball approach in the third inning produced their fourth run. The Highlanders struck again in the fourth, using more small ball to add their fifth run. A walk and a fielding error set the stage for an RBI single by Austin Francis, giving NJIT a five-run cushion.

The Gaels' pitching staff held firm over the next few innings, but a Francis walk ignited a two-run seventh inning. A two-RBI triple by Jack Stead pushed the lead to seven with a few innings remaining. The Maroon & Gold offense continued to struggle, failing to record a multi-hit inning, as they dropped game one of the doubleheader, 8–0.

Game Two

Junior Brendan Callanan set the tone in the first inning of the doubleheader, holding the Highlanders hitless while allowing just one walk. The Gaels' offense responded early, as junior AJ Oden singled to right and moved to second on an error. Sophomore Kiernan Kehoe followed with another base hit to right, advancing Oden to third. A fielder's choice from the next batter ended the threat, and the game remained scoreless after one.

Callanan continued his strong outing in the second inning, working out of trouble and stranding two runners. NJIT broke through in the third, starting with a single by Ty Saille. After advancing around the bases, Saille scored on a fielding error to give the Highlanders their first lead of the day. Dillon Can then reached on an error, and Jack Stead followed with a home run, giving NJIT a three-run cushion heading into the bottom of the inning.

Callanan ran into traffic in the fourth after a pair of hit-by-pitches and a walk, but he escaped the jam by forcing Cole Campbell to ground out to end the inning. The Gaels answered in the bottom half, as senior Anthony Zollo opened the frame with a single, and a double by senior Nickolas Mora drove in Iona's first run of the game.

The Highlanders added to their lead in the fifth, stringing together five singles in a long rally to push the advantage to six. Redshirt-junior Jordan Overton led off the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to cut the deficit to five heading into the sixth. The Maroon & Gold offense remained quiet the rest of the afternoon, managing just one hit, while NJIT quietly tacked on three more runs. The Gaels fell 10–2.

TEAM STATS

• In game one, Overton went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate and drew two walks.
• Zollo finished the day 5-for-8 with a run scored.
• The Maroon & Gold were aggressive on the bases, swiping three bags in the doubleheader.
• Payamps turned in another solid outing, working five innings while allowing five hits and just one earned run.
• Senior Jackson Kossow provided strong relief in game one, surrendering only one unearned run on three hits and one walk, while striking out three batters.

notable nuggets

• Overton smacked the Maroon & Gold's first home run of the season. 
• The Gaels are 6-7 in stolen base attempts this season. 
• The Gaels are holding batters to .270 batting average which ranks third in the MAAC. 

Up Next