The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball team lost its series-finale on Senior Day Sunday afternoon versus Sacred Heart, 15-4, at FDU Field in Teaneck. The Pioneers blasted four home runs, including two off the bat of Jeff Heppner and took advantage of three errors by the Knights. Before the start of the game, the Knights' three seniors, Corey Jeffers (Woodbine, NJ/St. Augustine Prep), Terry Lydecker (Pompton Lakes, NJ/Pompton Lakes) and Mike Strachman were honored for their hard work and dedication over the last four years. With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 21-21 (12-8 NEC) on the season, while the Knights fall to 10-30 (5-15 NEC) overall.
Sacred Heart scored a run in the top of the first on a fielding error to take an early 1-0 lead.
The Pioneers tacked on five more runs in the top of the third to go up 6-0. They scored on three base hits and a sacrifice fly.
In the top of the fourth, Sacred Heart scored four more times to extend their lead to 10-0. Steve Tedesco hit a two-run shot and Heppner followed with a solo blast for back-to-back home runs.
The Knights finally got on the board in the sixth with two runs. Junior DJ Robinson (Woodbury, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) doubled home fellow classmates Steven LaForge (Garfield, NJ/St. Mary) and Brian Dillon (Sarasota, FL/Cardinal Mooney).
Robert Griffith hit a three-run homer in the top of the seventh to put the Pioneers up 13-2.
Sophomore Matt Holsman (Coral Springs, FL/Stoneman Douglas) doubled home junior Erik Pollag (Sicklerville, NJ/Paul VI) and freshman Ben Mersky (Hershey, PA/Hershey) in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to 13-4.
Sacred Heart scored single runs in the eighth and ninth to earn the 15-4 victory.
Seven Knights saw action on the hill today. Freshman Matt Cadigan (Freehold, N.J./Freehold) (0-5) was tagged with the loss for the Knights. He went 3.0 innings, allowing six runs, five earned, on six hits. He walked two and struck out one. Six other Knights pitched one inning the rest of the game.
Troy Scribner earned the victory on the mound for Sacred Heart. He pitched 7.0 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out seven.
The Knights managed only six hits on the day, and Holsman collected three of them. He also collected two RBI's along with Robinson.
Hunter Phillips went 4-for-5 with three runs scored to pace the Pioneers' 17-hit attack. Tedesco, Heppner and Griffith each recorded three hits, while Tedesco and Heppner each scored four runs. Griffith drove in four runs and Heppner added three RBI's.
The Knights return to action this Wednesday as they travel to Jersey City to take on Saint Peter's in a non-conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
