Score: UAlbany 10, NJIT 4
 
Location: Yogi Berra Stadium – Newark, N.J.
 
Records: UAlbany (2-13, 1-0 America East) | NJIT (6-11, 0-1 America East)
 
Short Story: The University at Albany baseball team exploded for four runs in the first inning and never looked back, using a balanced offensive attack and strong bullpen work to secure a 10-5 win over NJIT in the America East opener.
 
Coach Jon Mueller: "Good start to conference play. We spoke about not being content with a win. We performed well in all phases today. We left too many guys on but did enough to distance ourselves in the middle."
 
Key Stats:

• UAlbany Pitchers:
  • Christian Mello – 3.0 IP | 1 ER | 3 H
  • Matthew Mariano – 4.0 IP | 1 ER | 2 K (Win)
  • Mark Gajowski – 1.0 IP | 1 ER | 3 BB
  • Tyler Kneller – 1.0 IP | 1 ER
• Levi McAllister recorded two RBI in the first inning.
• Tre Mariano drove in three runs, including two in the opening frame.
• Luke Filippi added three RBI, including a two-run single in the seventh.
• Logan Morris delivered two RBI in the seventh inning.
• John Vitucci and Michael Maggio each had multiple hits.

How it Happened:

• UAlbany wasted no time jumping on the board in the first inning. Michael Maggio walked and came around to score, while Levi McAllister delivered a two-RBI single to give the Great Danes an early lead. Tre Mariano followed with a two-run single, capping a four-run inning to make it 4-0.
• Christian Mello started on the mound and worked through three innings, allowing just one run on a solo home run in the third as UAlbany maintained control at 4-1.
• Matthew Mariano entered in relief in the fourth inning and navigated through traffic despite an unearned run, holding NJIT to two runs over four innings to keep the Great Danes in front.
• UAlbany added to its lead in the sixth inning when Michael Maggio and Cooper Loyal reached before Luke Filippi delivered an RBI single to push the advantage to 5-2.
• The game broke open in the seventh inning. Victor Mazzara and John Vitucci reached to start the rally before Filippi ripped a two-RBI single. Logan Morris followed with a two-run single, and Tre Mariano added another RBI knock to extend the lead to 10-2.
• Mark Gajowski took over on the mound in the eighth inning, allowing one run before Tyler Kneller entered in the ninth to close things out. NJIT added a late run, but UAlbany secured the 10-5 victory.

Next: The Great Danes stay in Newark for two more games against NJIT tomorrow, March 21 and Sunday, March 22.
 
Keep up with UAlbany baseball by following the team on X (@UAlbanybaseball), Instagram (@ualbanybaseball), and Facebook (UAlbany Baseball).