May 3, 2006

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, NJ - The Fairleigh Dickinson University baseball team split a pair of games at Rutgers University on Wednesday, May 3. The Knights (9-32) were defeated 9-3 in Game One, but scored six runs over the final two innings of the nine inning nightcap for a 7-5 win.

In Game One - a seven inning contest - the Scarlet Knights took an 8-0 lead in the first inning after four-consecutive batters knocked in runs. Sophomore Tim Bonham started for Fairleigh Dickinson and took the loss despite none of Rutgers' (21-21) eight runs being earned. The right-hander tossed four innings, striking out two.

Freshman first baseman Bryan Greer drove home FDU's first run of the game in the top of the fifth with a base hit to centerfield. Two batters later the Knights cut the deficit to 8-3 when freshman shortstop Jeff Vincent sent a single through the right side, plating freshman leftfielder Matt Maher who had reached on a walk and freshman catcher Mark Morton who singled.

Sophomore southpaw John O'Hara threw one inning of scoreless relief.

Senior designated hitter Matt Born and junior centerfielder Chris Grabowski notched two hits a piece.

In Game Two, Born put FDU ahead, 1-0, with a single in the third inning, bringing around the Knights' lead-off man Maher. However, Rutgers responded in the bottom of the frame with a string of three hits, jumping on top, 2-1.

The Scarlet Knights plated three addition runs, securing a 5-1 advantage before Fairleigh Dickinson rallied for three runs in the eighth. Grabowski sparked the comeback bid with a single and then swiped second base. Vincent singled to left field, collecting his third hit of Game Two, to score Grabowski. Greer smacked a two-bagger, driving home FDU's third run, followed by sophomore designated hitter Carmine Vetrano tacking on another run via an RBI groundout.

The Knights entered the ninth inning trailing 5-4 when Maher shifted FDU ahead, 6-5, with a two-out base knock. The freshman came around to score on a two-base throwing error, giving Head Coach Jerry DeFabbia's squad a two-run cushion with three outs remaining.

Freshman right-hander John Arciuolo hurled the final 1.1 innings en route to his first collegiate victory. Senior starter Adam Vogel logged 4.2 innings in a no decision.

The Knights host the front end of home-and-home doubleheaders against Lafayette College at noon on Saturday, May 6 at FDU Field.