UNION, N.J. — The Stony Brook used an offensive barrage to win the opener of a doubleheader on Sunday against NJIT. Then, the Seawolves pounced on the Highlanders to build a six-run lead in Game 2.

However, NJIT rallied for a 9-8 walk-off win in the nightcap to split the doubleheader and hand Stony Brook its first series defeat in America East play this season.

The Seawolves beat NJIT, 5-2, in the opener.

In Game 1, Stony Brook jumped on NJIT starter Grant Vurpillat for three first-inning runs, highlighted by John Tuccillo's two-run homer.

Brian Herrmann limited the Highlanders to two runs on four hits while requiring only 79 pitches to navigate six innings. He retired 10 straight batters at one point and departed with a 3-2 lead.

Evan Giordano went 3-for-3 in the opener. That included launching a solo homer to lead off the seventh. Chris Hamilton followed with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly later in the frame, providing Kyle Johnson with a three-run cushion en route to the save.

Earlier in the game, John LaRocca made a retreating catch at the wall in center field to take away a would-be extra-base hit from Albert Choi to lead off the third inning.

Then, in Game 2, Giordano belted a three-run double and Hamilton followed with a two-run homer in a five-run second inning.

The Seawolves eventually staked starter Nick DeGennaro to a 6-0 lead.

However, NJIT ultimately evened the score at 7 on back-to-back solo homers in the seventh against Johnson, who worked relief in both ends of the doubleheader.

And after Shane Paradine's fourth hit of Game 2 — a two-out RBI single in the eighth — reestablished the lead for Stony Brook, NJIT answered with Jared Donnelly's third homer of the series in the bottom half tie the score at 8.

NJIT then won it in the ninth on a walk-off wild pitch with the bases loaded and two out.

Hamilton had three extra-base hits in Game 2 and four in the doubleheader.

NJIT swept the doubleheader on Saturday on Long Island to begin the four-game series. Stony Brook nonetheless remains atop the America East standings at 16-4.