ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — The University at Albany Great Danes defeated the NJIT Highlanders 7-5 on Friday afternoon at Varsity Field in an America East contest that featured a late-inning turnaround and a strong relief outing from Matthew Mariano.

Albany improved to 11-21 overall; NJIT dropped to 13-23.

The Great Danes erased an early deficit and took the lead for good in the fifth inning. After NJIT jumped ahead 5-0 in the top of the first, Albany answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Levi McAllister singled in one run, Jaxon Mueller followed with a two-run single, and Brian Guerrero added an RBI single. The Highlanders responded with a sacrifice fly by Brody Levi in the second to push the lead back to 5-4.

Albany’s pitching staff settled the game after the first. Starter Matthew Mariano entered in the fifth inning and worked five innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out three. He retired the side in order in the fifth and worked around a walk in the sixth before surrendering a solo home run to NJIT’s Lorenzo Camilleri in the seventh that tied the game at 6-6.

Mariano’s performance marked his third consecutive outing of at least five innings. He had allowed three earned runs in a win over Siena on April 17 and threw three scoreless innings in a victory at Bryant on April 11.

The game turned decisively in the bottom of the eighth. With the score tied, NJIT reliever Tade Riorden had retired four of the first five batters he faced after entering in the fifth. But the inning began with an error by the Highlanders’ shortstop, allowing Jaxon Mueller to reach base. Mueller advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brian Guerrero. John Vitucci then lined a double to right field, scoring Mueller and giving Albany a 7-6 lead. Vitucci finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Becker Sybirski pitched the final inning for NJIT, retiring the side after a walk and a fielder’s choice.

The Highlanders threatened in the ninth. Camilleri walked and was replaced by pinch runner Andrew Hart. Jack Stead singled to third base, putting runners on first and second with one out, but Dillon Can flied out to center field to end the game.

NJIT outhit Albany 13-10 but grounded into three double plays. Ty Sallie went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Highlanders. Cole Campbell drove in two runs on two hits. For Albany, Tre Mariano had two hits and two RBIs. The Great Danes’ defense turned two double plays in the first five innings to stifle potential rallies.

The game was the first of a three-game series between the teams. Albany had lost two of three at NJIT earlier in March. The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader at Varsity Field.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of NJIT 5, Albany 4, and Interstat’s ELO system gave NJIT a 54.00 percent probability to win.