On a crisp Friday night in Maryland, the UMBC Retrievers erupted for a 17‑6 victory over NJIT, turning the final regular‑season showdown into a showcase of offensive firepower.
The team jumped out to a five‑run first inning, added four more in the second, and never looked back, finishing the game in seven innings.
Ehi Okojie’s breakout performance
Leadoff hitter Ehi Okojie was the catalyst, finishing 3‑for‑4 with six runs batted in and capping the night with a 421‑foot homer on a 3‑0 pitch — his 12th of the season.
His bat ignited a rally that saw ten different Retrievers collect hits, while Danny Orr and Brooks Henderson each added three hits apiece.
Key contributions from the lineup
Dylan Melton started the onslaught with a single, Anthony Mascuilli drew a walk, and Orr’s bunt set the stage for a loaded bases situation. Nolan Kutney, inserted as a pinch hitter, launched his first long ball of the year in the fourth, while Joe Lomangino and Luke Buscaglia chipped in timely hits.
Pitching dominance
Right‑hander Zach Robinson continued his solid stretch, improving to 6‑3 on the season after striking out six batters over 5.2 innings, keeping the NJIT offense at bay.
The bullpen combined for clean innings, allowing the offense to build a comfortable margin.
Looking ahead
The Retrievers close the regular season on Saturday at 1 p.m., with a senior ceremony slated for 12:30 p.m. A win, or a loss by Maine at UAlbany, would lock in the No. 2 seed and a first‑round bye in the upcoming America East tournament.
Coach Danny Wyatt praised the collective effort, noting that the depth of hitting and reliable pitching bodes well for the postseason.