The Fairleigh Dickinson University baseball team dropped a game at Old Dominion University, Saturday, March 14. At the Bud Metheny Complex in Norfolk, VA, the Knights slipped to 1-5 on the year, while the Monarchs improved to 4-10.
Fairleigh Dickinson fell, 3-1, in the opener; and trails, 6-3, in the second contest which was halted.
After being touched up for three early runs, right-hander Nicholas Melchiorre found his rhythm in game one. The junior tossed 6.0 innings, sitting down a season-high seven batters. Melchiorre allowed five hits, yielding two earned runs. Over the final four frames, he gave up only one hit.
A pair of singles gave ODU a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning. The following frame, the same production equated to two additional runs ? one proving unearned.
In the sixth inning, an unearned run ? scored by senior outfielder Matt Maher (Peekskill, NY/JFK Catholic) ? cut the margin to 3-1. With one out, the speedster notched an infield hit then swiped second base. Of the Knights' five hits, Maher registered two, while red-shirt junior third baseman Zachary Sand (San Diego, CA/Mission Bay) reached on two occasions (both walks).
Monarchs' righty Brett Harris went the distance, fanning seven through 7.0 innings. In his third appearance of the season, the freshman picked up his second win.
In the nightcap, a two-out single up the middle by designated hitter Joe Martino (Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke) put FDU up 1-0 in to start the ball game. Two batters prior, Maher worked a walk, stole second and third; then scored on Martino's first hit of his sophomore campaign.
However, Old Dominion answered with a four-run effort in the bottom half of the first ? ultimately batting around. The outburst was highlighted by a two-RBI base knock courtesy of sophomore outfielder Donnie Corsner. Knights' senior southpaw John Meadus (Mt. Holly, NJ/Holy Cross) surrendered four hits and three earned runs in the inning. He logged 2.1 innings.
Junior outfielder Patrick Furey (Ponoma, NY/North Rockland) singled to start the second and later came around on a two-bagger off the bat of senior outfielder Jeff Vincent (Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional). But the Monarchs countered with an unearned run, leaving the score, 5-2, after two.
In the third inning, a rope into the right-centerfield gap brought in Martino, and sophomore first baseman Brian Dillon (Sarasota, FL/Cardinal Mooney) stood at second base. Red-shirt freshman first baseman Josh Wright answered with a solo shot to left field to regain a three-run margin, 6-3.
ODU junior right-hander Chris Boggs started and hurled 2.1 innings. Red-shirt sophomore righty Robbie Watkins relieved and is still in the game. For the Knights, freshman right-hander John Schmidt (East Islip, NY/East Islip) is pitching out of the bullpen.
Maher has already reached twice.
In addition to completing the halted contest, Fairleigh Dickinson will play two games, Sunday, March 15, starting at 12:00 p.m.
