BOILING SPRINGS, NC - The NJIT baseball team put together a solid effort against one of the nation's traditional powerhouses on Sunday, ultimately falling 8-3 to #5 Virginia in a neutral site contest hosted by Garnder-Webb.

The Highlanders are now 2-1 this season, while UVA, which made it all the way to the College World Series in Omaha last season, is undefeated through three games.

Virginia got on the scoreboard first Sunday, plating a run each in the second and third innings.

Albert Choi hit a home run in the fourth to cut the NJIT defiicit to 2-1 and end UVA's season-opening scoreless inning steak at 21. Julio Marcano followed up Choi's home run with a double and scored one batter later when he was singled home by David Marcano to tie the game 2-2.

Virginia proved why they are projected to be of the best squads in the country this season, immediately answering the NJIT rally with a four-run sixth to go ahead 6-2. The Cavaliers added two more runs an inning later to make the margin six heading into the bottom fo the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Paul Franzoni drew a bases loaded walk to make the score 8-3, but the Highlanders left three runners on base and were unable to get another run across for the remainder of the contest.

David Marcano had three hits to lead the NJIT offense, while Choi, Julio Marcano, and Nick Hussey each had one hit.

Aidan Kidd earned the start on the mound for NJIT, tossing four innings and striking out six in his first-career start. Aaron Park had an impressive showing out of the Highlanders' bullpen, tossing 1.2 perfect innings and getting a strikeout.

The Highlanders return to the diamond next weekend when they travel back to North Carolina for a four-game series at Wake Forest. First pitch of game on is slated for 4pm on Friday and that game will be streamed on the ACC Digital Network.