NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — James Ellis delivered a masterful seven-inning, no-hit start and RJ Azarieh launched a decisive two-run homer in the 10th inning as Saint Peter’s snapped a nine-game skid with a 4-2 victory over NJIT in college baseball Saturday at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

The Peacocks, who entered the day with a 1-9 record after dropping the first two games of this series by a combined 21-7 score, finally found a winning formula behind a dominant pitching performance and a late offensive burst.

Ellis, a right-hander, was nearly untouchable. He struck out five, walked two and did not allow a hit over his seven scoreless frames. He faced only three batters over the minimum, with the only NJIT runner to reach second base against him doing so on a walk, a stolen base and an error in the third inning. This outing was a stark turnaround from his previous start on Feb. 28 against George Washington, where he allowed four earned runs in four innings.

NJIT starter Josh Willitts was nearly as effective, matching Ellis zero for zero through the first four innings. The stalemate was broken in the top of the fifth when Saint Peter’s catcher Max Abrams connected for a two-run homer to center field, scoring Luke Schwartz who had singled.

Ellis departed after the seventh with a 2-0 lead, having thrown 97 pitches. The no-hit bid ended immediately in the eighth when NJIT’s Ty Sallie greeted reliever Joey Tonnotti with a single. Sallie later scored on an RBI single by Cole Campbell, cutting the deficit to 2-1. A second run scored in the inning on another RBI single by Austin Francis, but a caught stealing helped Saint Peter’s escape with the game tied 2-2.

The game remained deadlocked into extra innings. In the top of the 10th, Joey Dwyer singled with one out against NJIT reliever Tade Riorden. Azarieh then followed by launching a two-run homer to left field, his second hit of the game, to put the Peacocks back in front 4-2.

Frankie Caietta and Harrison Lombardi closed it out for Saint Peter’s in the bottom of the 10th. Caietta recorded two outs but loaded the bases with two walks and a single. Lombardi entered and struck out Nick Vega swinging to end the game and secure the Peacocks’ first win of the season.

Willitts took a hard-luck no-decision for NJIT, allowing two runs on five hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out six. Riorden was charged with the loss.

Saint Peter’s finished with seven hits to NJIT’s six. The victory improved the Peacocks to 2-9, while the Highlanders fell to 5-6.

The most important sequence of the game was Azarieh’s 10th-inning home run. After the Peacocks’ bullpen surrendered the 2-0 lead in the eighth, the offense, which had been stifled since the fifth, reignited at the most critical moment. Azarieh’s blast off Riorden provided the final margin and ensured Ellis’s brilliant start was not wasted.

The teams conclude their four-game series Sunday afternoon.