The Fairleigh Dickinson University baseball team was defeated twice, both 8-3 losses in seven inning contests, Saturday, March 31 versus the University at Albany. The home-standing Knights (5-14) received a three-hit effort from sophomore infielder Jeff Vincent (Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional) (Belmar, PA/Franklin Regional) in the nightcap.
In the first game, FDU fell behind, 3-0, as the Great Danes (9-10) plated a run in each of the first three frames.
The Knights created a 3-2 ball game in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore infielder Zachary Sand (San Diego, CA/Mission Bay) (San Diego, CA/Mission Bay) notched a base knock through the right side, scoring freshman infielder Patrick Furey (Ponoma, NY/North Rockland) (Pomona, NY/North Rockland) who reached via a base on balls. Senior infielder Jovan Santos (Woodhaven, NY/Archbishop Malloy) (Woodhaven, NY/Archbishop Malloy) grounded out, bringing home senior outfielder Chris Grabowski (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) who got on after being drilled with a pitch for the second time in as many trips to the dish.
In the sixth, sophomore pinch hitter Bryan Greer (Boca Raton, FL/Olympic Heights) (Boca Raton, FL/Olympic Heights) grounded out, scoring sophomore catcher Mark Morton (Coral Springs, FL/Grandview Prep) (Coral Springs, FL/Grandview Prep) who singled to lead-off the inning.
Junior lefty John O'Hara (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's) (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's) sat down six, but was touched up for six runs ? five earned ? through 4.1 innings, en route to slipping to 2-3 on the year.
Furey finished 2-for-2, while Grabowski tallied a 1-for-1 effort. Sand went 2-for-4.
In game two, the Knights jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the first frame, as Vincent lead-off with a two-bagger to right-center field. Furey shifted Vincent to third with the first of his two sacrifices, before Sand smacked an RBI double into the left-center field gap.
In the third, Fairleigh Dickinson added another run, opening up a 2-0 lead, as Grabowski (two hits, two RBI) doubled home Vincent, who singled to start the inning. However, Albany tied the game, 2-2, in the top of the fourth.
Vincent scored his third run of the game on the strength of a lead-off base hit in the fifth frame. After Vincent swiped second base, Grabowski drove in the then-go-ahead run with a line drive to right-centerfield.
The Great Danes responded with a five-run outburst in the sixth, en route to chasing left-hander John Meadus (Mt. Holly, NJ/Holy Cross) (Mount Holly, NJ/Holy Cross) to a no decision. The sophomore hurled five innings, fanning six and surrendering five hits.
FDU plays the final contest of the four-game set against Albany, at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, April 1 in Teaneck, NJ.
