The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball (4-15, 3-4 NEC) team split a doubleheader Friday afternoon versus NEC-foe Long Island (4-18, 2-5 NEC) in Brooklyn, NY. The Knights took game one, 8-5, before dropping the nightcap, 3-1.
In game one, the Knights took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on sophomore Mike Eliasen (Swedesboro, NJ/Gloucester Catholic)'s RBI single to right, scoring freshman Ashley Bulluck (Hollywood, FL/South Broward). Later on in the inning, sophomore Scott Morrison (Coral Springs, FL/J.P. Taravella) scored on a throwing error by the pitcher to put the Knights up, 2-0.
After the Blackbirds scored a run in the bottom of the second on a fielder's choice, the Knights responded with three runs in the top of the fourth to take a 5-1 lead. Sophomore Ryan Kresky (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) homered to lead off the frame. Eliasen scored on an error, and junior Steven LaForge (Garfield, NJ/St. Mary) scored on junior DJ Robinson (Woodbury, NJ/Gloucester Catholic)'s RBI single.
The Knights went up, 8-1, in the fifth as they scored three more times. Sophomore Matt Holsman (Coral Springs, FL/Stoneman Douglas) singled home Morrison, and LaForge drove home Kresky and Eliasen with a single.
The Blackbirds scored four times in the sixth to cut the lead to 8-5, but the Knights were able to hold on for the victory.
Sophomore Ray Courtney (Bronx, NY/Bronx Science) (1-1) earned the victory for the Knights on the mound by going 5.1 innings. He gave up four runs, all earned, on five hits. He walked three and struck out two. Freshman Craig Warner (Coral Springs, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) earned his first career save by recording the last out of the game.
Eliasen went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Kresky doubled, homered, scored two runs, and had an RBI.
Junior Brian Dillon (Sarasota, FL/Cardinal Mooney) and LaForge each had two RBI's, and Morrison scored two runs.
The Knights collected 11 hits and did not commit an error.
Gerard Tingos, Albert Faz, Drew Walsh and Sam Sciamarelli each had two hits for the Blackbirds. Adam Sauter took the loss on the hill.
In game two, the Knights were only able collect three hits, and wasted a terrific pitching performance by Bulluck (1-3), who went the distance, giving up three runs, all earned, on five hits. He walked four and struck out four.
However, Blackbirds' starter Justin Topa was just a little better. He also went the distance, giving up one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out nine.
Long Island scored two in the third and one in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. The Knights scored their lone run in the seventh when Dillon scored on Kresky's RBI groundout. Topa then shut the door to give the Blackbirds a 3-1 victory.
The Knights and Blackbirds conclude their four-game series tomorrow in Brooklyn. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
