NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — The Binghamton Bearcats survived a late rally and a bizarre pitching line from starter Jackson Mitchell to edge the NJIT Highlanders 5-4 in America East Conference baseball action Sunday evening at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

Binghamton (13-13, 3-0 America East) seized control with a five-run first inning, sending 10 batters to the plate against NJIT starter Anthony Anzaldi, who failed to record an out. Braylen Gonzalez ignited the rally with a double down the left-field line. Consecutive RBI singles from Matt Bolton and Steven Kraus brought in two runs, and Mike Stellrecht capped the outburst with a two-run single through the left side.

The early offensive support was enough for Mitchell, who earned the win despite an unusual final line. The right-hander pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs, but did not surrender a hit. He walked four, hit a batter and struck out two. All the damage against him came in the fifth inning, when he walked one and hit another before Rowin O’Connor launched a three-run home run to left field off reliever Aiden Milburn, cutting Binghamton’s lead to 5-3.

The most important part of the game proved to be Binghamton’s immediate response in the top of the seventh. After NJIT reliever Tade Riorden had silenced the Bearcats for five innings of scoreless, three-hit relief, the Highlanders turned to Tyler Kim. He loaded the bases with a single and two walks, forcing in a run with a bases-loaded walk to Tommy Popoff. That insurance run restored a three-run cushion at 6-3, a critical margin that ultimately decided the game.

NJIT (9-17, 0-3) mounted a final threat in the ninth. Austin Francis singled and Dillon Can doubled, putting the tying runs in scoring position with one out. After a pitching change, Conner Rippo’s groundout brought in one run, but Hayden Tarsia entered and struck out O’Connor looking with a runner on third to end the game and secure the series sweep for the Bearcats.

Riorden was the standout for NJIT, providing exceptional long relief with his five-inning stint. For Binghamton, Gonzalez went 3 for 5 with two runs scored, and Stellrecht drove in two. Bearcats reliever Jake Dally struck out four over two perfect innings, bridging the gap to the late innings.

The victory extended Binghamton’s winning streak to three games, completing a road sweep of the conference-opening series. NJIT has lost four straight.

Binghamton’s next game is at home against Maryland-Baltimore County on Friday. NJIT hosts Rider on Tuesday.