VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton baseball returns to conference play when the Bearcats (10-13, 3-3 America East) travel to New Jersey to face NJIT (9-14, 2-4 AE) in a weekend set. The teams will play Friday and Saturday nights and finish the series Sunday afternoon all at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls.

The  Bearcats have dropped two straight after winning four in a row. On Tuesday, Binghamton lost 7-3 at St. Bonaventure. In league play thus far, Bing dropped two of three to Bryant and won two of three against UMass Lowell. Binghamton ranks fourth in the America East in hitting, fifth in pitching and sixth in fielding.

Sophomore center fielder Matt Bolton leads the Bearcats with a .322 average. Sophomore second baseman Sean Sweeney has been rolling since entering the lineup. Sweeney is hitting .552 (.632 OBP) in 12 games. Seven Bearcats have 10+ RBI.

The Highlanders are coming off an 11-9 win at Marist on Tuesday. NJIT began conference play by losing two of three to both UAlbany and Bryant. The team has split its last six games. NJIT was picked to finish third in the preseason poll after finishing second last season (fourth at the tournament). The Highlanders rank third in the AE in fielding, fourth in pitching and sixth in hitting.

Binghamton leads the all-time series, which began in 2008, 27-12. The Bearcats have won four in a row, including a 15-10 tournament victory last May at Maine. Prior to that, however, NJIT had won four of five in the series. The Highlanders hold a 9-7 edge in home matchups. 
 
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, April 3 – 6 p.m. 
RHP Conner Griffin (0-2, 5.76 ERA)vs. RHP Josh Willitts (1-2, 4.80 ERA) | Live Video | Live Stats
 
Saturday, April 4 – 7:30 p.m.
RHP Mason Holloway (1-2, 5.29 ERA) vs. RHP Mark Scamardella (2-2, 5.33 ERA) | Live Video | Live Stats

Sunday, April 5 - 1 p.m.
RHP Jackson Mitchell (1-0, 1.56 ERA) vs. RHP Tate Jones (2-1, 5.06 ERA) | Live Video | Live Stats