The Fairleigh Dickinson University baseball team dropped a pair of games, 8-5 and 19-5, Sunday, May 11 in West Long Branch, NJ. The Knights slid to 13-37 overall and 8-15 in the Northeast Conference.
Monmouth (34-13 overall, 19-5 NEC) sophomore infielder Ryan Terry poked a solo home run in the second inning to grab a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third, Fairleigh Dickinson posted a five-spot to jump ahead. Junior outfielder Brett Lazar (Commack, NY/Commack) cleared the bases with a double. Freshman infielder Steven LaForge (Garfield, NJ/St. Mary) added an RBI two-bagger, with senior infielder Luis Rosario (Bronx, NY/James Monroe) capping the scoring with an RBI groundout.
MU freshman outfielder Nick Pulsonetti grounded out to drive in a run and create a 5-2 deficit in the bottom portion of the frame.
An FDU defensive miscue, followed by a sacrifice fly, spurred a six-run fifth for the Hawks. Terry smacked a three-run dinger to punctuate the home-standing rally.
Sophomore right-hander Nicholas Melchiorre tossed 4.0 innings and received a no decision. Freshman righty Zachary Kisling took the loss, working an inning of relief. Sophomore right-hander Michael Strachman (Roslyn Heights, NY/Roslyn) logged a scoreless inning from the bullpen.
Dillon paced the offense with a pair of hits, with junior outfielders Jeff Vincent (Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional) and Matt Maher (Peekskill, NY/JFK Catholic) both reaching base on two occasions.
Terry finished with four RBI and Pulsonetti, two.
MU sophomore southpaw Nick Vallillo hurled 3.0 shutout innings of relief to register the victory, only allowing one hit. Monmouth starter, sophomore righty Ryan Buch, was chased from the bump after 3.0 innings.
In game two, the Hawks went up, 2-0, in the bottom of the first inning. The runs were a result of a double play with the sacks full and a pair of wild pitches.
The Knights responded to take a 3-2 advantage in the second frame. Dillon grounded out to plate the first run, with Vincent notching an RBI base knock. Lazar drove in the go ahead run with a single sent to right field.
Maher drove a single through the right side and stole second base in the third. He later scored on an RBI single back through the box by junior catcher Vincent Pennacchio (Huntington Station, NY/Commack), shifting the score to 4-2.
In the bottom portion of the third, Monmouth regained the lead, 6-4. Senior infielder Kyle Higgins hammered a two-run home run, with Pulsonetti stroking a two-run double, en route to a four-run frame.
Maher scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning, cutting the margin to 6-5. The Hawks tallied four runs in the fifth, and six in the eighth, to seal the game.
Junior lefty John Meadus (Mt. Holly, NJ/Holy Cross) was saddled with the loss over 3.0 innings. Sophomore righty Brett Brach hurled 5.0 innings to record the win, while sophomore left-hander Kyle Dreese tossed 3.0 shutout innings of relief.
Maher and Rosario tallied two hits a piece. Lazar and junior infielder Zachary Sand (San Diego, CA/Mission Bay) reached twice.
Higgins led the Hawks with four hits and four RBI. Junior outfielder Chris Collazo went for three hits, with senior outfielder Shawn Teters tallying four RBI.
FDU concludes its season with a four-game set versus Central Connecticut State University. The teams meet at 3:00 p.m. in Teaneck, NJ, Friday, May 16. Senior Day is scheduled for noon, Saturday, May 17.
