CATONSVILLE, Md. (Interstat) — Maryland-Baltimore County erupted for five runs in the second inning and never trailed, rolling to a 12-4 victory over NJIT on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Alumni Field in an America East matchup.

The Retrievers improved to 24-22 overall, while the Highlanders fell to 16-29-1.

UMBC pounded out 16 hits to NJIT’s five, with first baseman Dylan Melton leading the way with a 4-for-5 performance, three RBI and two doubles. Left fielder Ehi Okojie added a grand slam and four RBI, finishing 2-for-4. Designated hitter Danny Wyatt went 3-for-5 with two RBI, and right fielder Danny Orr had two hits and an RBI.

The turning point came in the bottom of the second inning. NJIT had seized a 4-0 lead in the top half on a three-run homer by shortstop Jack Stead. But the Retrievers answered immediately. Melton delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-1, and after two walks loaded the bases, Okojie launched a grand slam to left field, putting UMBC ahead 5-4. The Retrievers never relinquished the lead.

UMBC added three more runs in the fourth. Wyatt singled in a run, and Derek Paris doubled to drive in two, extending the lead to 8-4. The Highlanders managed a solo home run by right fielder Nick Vega in the seventh, but the Retrievers countered with four runs in the bottom half. Melton doubled in two runs, Orr singled in a run, and Wyatt added another RBI single to make it 12-4.

NJIT’s only scoring came in the second inning. After Dillon Can doubled and Brody Levin walked, Stead homered to center field. Vega also homered in the seventh and finished 2-for-4. The Highlanders managed just five hits total, striking out 10 times.

UMBC starter Eddie Sargent earned the win, pitching five innings and allowing three runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Bennett Speicher earned a save with four innings of relief, surrendering one run on two hits with one strikeout. NJIT starter Mark Scamardella lasted 3 1/3 innings, giving up eight runs on eight hits. Tade Riordan allowed four runs in three innings, and Hayden Estes pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Defensive miscues hurt NJIT. A throwing error by the shortstop in the third inning allowed a runner to reach, and a throwing error by the third baseman in the sixth gave Wyatt an extra base.

Stead led NJIT with three RBI on his home run, his only hit of the game. Vega drove in one run. The Highlanders, who had won 8-7 at Boston College in their previous game, dropped to 16-29-1.

UMBC, coming off a 9-8 loss at Towson, improved to 24-22. The Retrievers have now won three of their last four. Melton, who entered the game hitting 1-for-4, 1-for-2, 1-for-5 and 2-for-4 in his previous four games, had his best performance of the stretch.

The series continues with a doubleheader Friday and a single game Saturday, both at Alumni Field.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of UMBC 5, NJIT 3, and its ELO system gave the Retrievers a 56.30 percent probability to win.