ORONO, ME – The University of Maine baseball team was eliminated from the America East Playoffs on Friday afternoon by the NJIT Highlands, 9-7.
 
First Inning: Julio Marcano drove in the opening run of the contest as he singled to left field, scoring David Marcano.
 
Second Inning: Luke Longo hit a solo home run to left field on the first pitch of the second frame. David Marcano added on with a home run of his own, a two-run home run to right field, scoring Jared Donnelly.
 
Caleb Leys outing came to end in the second inning as he allowed 4 runs over a 1 and 1/3 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 walks and striking out 2.
 
Connor Goodman got the Black Bears on the board in the bottom of the frame as he hit a triple to left field, scoring Jeremiah Jenkins. Jake Marquez added another for the Black Bears as he hit a single to right field, scoring Connor Goodman.
 
Fifth Inning: Connor Goodman made it a 1-run contest as he hit a double to right center, scoring Joe Bramanti. Ryan Turenne gave the Black Bears their first lead of the contest as he hit a double down the right field line, scoring Jeremiah Jenkins and Connor Goodman.
 
Sixth Inning: Albert Choi tied the contest up at 5-5 as he singled to center field, scoring Ray Ortiz. Julio Marcano grabbed the lead back for the Highlanders as he hit a 2-run home run to left field, scoring Albert Choi.
 
Maine got one back as Jeremiah Jenkins as hit by a pitch, scoring Jordan Schulefand. Connor Goodman tied the contest as he hit got a hit by a pitch, scoring Joe Bramanti.
 
Seventh Inning: Luke Longo got the lead back for his squad as he hit a solo home run to left field, his second of the game.
 
Ninth Inning: Julio Marcano added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning as he hit a solo home run to right field.
 
Jake Rappaport (3-7) earned the win for the Highlanders, going 3 innings of relief, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, 3 walks and striking out 1.
 
Brett Erwin (2-6) took the loss for the Black Bears, throwing 3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, no walks and striking out 3.
 
NJIT will face off against UMass Lowell in the night matchup to see who faces off against Binghamton (2-0) in the America East Championship on Saturday, May 28.
 
-UMaine-