The Fairleigh Dickinson University baseball team scored five runs in the eighth inning, Friday, April 17, but could not overcome home-standing Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD. Despite a career-high three hits and two RBI by freshman infielder Mike Eliasen (Swedesboro, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), the Knights lost 8-7 and slid below .500 in the Northeast Conference (4-5).
In the eighth inning, senior catcher Vincent Pennacchio (Huntington Station, NY/Commack) slapped a double into the right-center field gap to make it an 8-3 ball game. Eliasen doubled to center and senior outfielder Jeff Vincent (Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional) added a base knock, as both efforts plated a run. Red-shirt junior designated hitter Zachary Sand (San Diego, CA/Mission Bay) went yard with a two-run, two-out blast over the centerfield wall to cap the surge.
FDU (9-19) initially got on the board when Vincent led off the game with a solo shot to right-centerfield, locking in on a 2-1 pitch. However, the Mountaineers jumped ahead via a four-spot in the bottom of the third frame. Sophomore infielder Joe Kavanagh stroked a solo shot off Knights' senior starter Ben Green (Plainview, NY/JFK Plainview) (0-5) to kick-start things, while sophomore catcher Kyle Kane punctuated the push with a two-run dinger. Fairleigh Dickinson's right-hander logged 6.0 innings, but was saddled with the loss.
In the top of the fourth inning, an RBI-double courtesy of Eliasen cut the deficit to 4-2. With the score in favor of The Mount at 5-2, sophomore outfielder Shane Eyler accounted for the ultimate game-winning run following a three-run home run to left field.
Vincent complemented FDU's No. 9 hitter (Eliasen) with three hits and two RBI. Sophomore first baseman Brian Dillon (Sarasota, FL/Cardinal Mooney) worked his way on three times, on the strength of a hit and two walks. Red-shirt junior outfielder Mark Morton (Coral Springs, FL/Grandview Prep) added a hit and walk.
Mountaineers' junior righty Max Brittenham tossed 7.0 innings, sitting down eight. Right-hander Mike Matta worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to register the fourth save of his junior season.
First pitch for a doubleheader at Straw Family Stadium, Saturday, April 18 is slated for noon.
