The Fairleigh Dickinson University baseball team halved a twin bill at Central Connecticut State University, Saturday, May 2 in New Britain, CT. The Knights (12-28 overall, 7-12 Northeast Conference) dropped a 6-2 decision in the opener, but rebounded for a 5-2 victory in game two.
In the first contest, freshman infielder Mike Eliasen (Swedesboro, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) slapped in RBI single in the fourth frame to tie things at one. CCSU (21-15 overall, 11-7 NEC) busted the game open in its half of the inning, posting a four spot. Senior catcher Sean Parker highlighted the outburst with a two-run double.
Red-shirt junior designated hitter Mark Morton (Coral Springs, FL/Grandview Prep) socked a solo shot to left field in the sixth inning, creating the final margin. He and Eliasen paced the offense with two hits a piece.
Senior southpaw John Meadus (Mt. Holly, NJ/Holy Cross) yielded five earns runs through 3.1 innings and suffered the loss. Senior right-hander Ben Green (Plainview, NY/JFK Plainview) tossed the final 2.2 innings. Conversely, senior Ken Kerski went the distance for the Blue Devils. The lefty improved to 4-2.
The nightcap ? an extra inning affair where Fairleigh Dickinson registered three runs in the eighth inning ? was concluded by sophomore right-hander Spencer Kelly (Rockville, MD/The Bullis School) notching his fourth save. Junior righty Nicholas Melchiorre provided 7.0 strong innings to garner the win.
Senior outfielder Matt Maher (Peekskill, NY/JFK Catholic) and freshman infielder Ryan Kresky (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) recorded multi-hit efforts, while Morton worked his way aboard twice.
Sophomore outfielder Brian Dillon (Sarasota, FL/Cardinal Mooney) roped a triple to start the second inning and later scored on an error. Sophomore catcher Erik Pollag (Sicklerville, NJ/Paul VI)'s infield single in the fourth frame pushed it to 2-0. However, Central Connecticut knotted the score, 2-2, in the sixth inning. Junior outfielder Richie Tri capped the comeback with an RBI two-bagger.
Maher sparked the Knights' three-run eighth inning with a lead-off single. Morton brought home the game-winning win with a base knock. In the ensuing FDU at-bat, Kresky plated a pair with a single to left field.
CCSU starter Taylor Kosakowski was saddled with the loss, logging 8.0 innings. The right-hander was touched up for 10 hits.
Fairleigh Dickinson concludes its series with the Blue Devils at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 3 at Beehive Field.