BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — NJIT scored six runs in the seventh inning to break open a close game Saturday as the Highlanders defeated the Bellarmine University baseball team 9-3 in the Jerry Bryson Classic hosted by Gardner-Webb at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.

For the second straight game to open the season, Bellarmine (0-2) got an exceptional start on the mound. Sophomore lefthander Gavin Braunecker worked 5.0 innings, allowing one earned run on six hits and a walk while striking out seven against NJIT (2-0), which was an NCAA Tournament team last season.

Trailing 1-0, Bellarmine grabbed the lead after scoring twice in the fourth. After senior third baseman Colin Bertsch and senior left fielder Matt Higgins opened the inning with consecutive walks, senior shortstop Clayton Mehlbauer drove in Bertsch with an RBI single. Junior catcher Gabe Bratetic then brought home Higgins with a two-out, go-ahead RBI single.

The game turned in NJIT's favor in the seventh. The Highlanders scored six runs on seven hits, including a pair of triples. NJIT put together five straight hits at one point during the inning. The Highlanders tacked on two more runs in the eighth.

Bellarmine added one run in the eighth when Mehlbauer led off with a double and scored on a ground out by senior right fielder Jacob Mulcahy. Mehlbauer went 2-for-3 and reached base another time on a walk.

In his collegiate debut, freshman righthander Casey Sorg struck out three in 1.2 scoreless innings of relief. The Knights' staff fanned 12 but also walked eight and allowed 14 hits.

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