Box Score

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball team collected 11 hits in a 7-3 victory over Sacred Heart on Friday afternoon at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard behind a three-hit, four RBI performance by junior Pat McClure. The Knights (7-11, 1-2 NEC) and Pioneers (5-15-1, 2-1 NEC) will conclude their series with a single game on Saturday at 12 p.m.

McClure hit a two-out, two-run single to tie the game in the top of the third inning and then clubbed a two-run home run to left field in the fifth.  McClure's fifth inning homer was his second of the season and gave FDU a 5-3 lead.

"I thought we executed well today and that was the big difference between yesterday and today's outcomes," head coach Gary Puccio said on Friday afternoon.  "I'm proud of what we did today, down two games in the series, then falling behind by two runs early.  The guys didn't quit, they knew we had to win today and they came out and did it.  Offensively McClure got it done for us and then Snyder was able to close the door at the end of the game."

The Pioneers scored single runs in the first, second and fourth innings against FDU starter Ryan McGrath (Lansingburgh, N.Y./Lansingburgh). 

However, the FDU offense answered.  First with a pair of runs in the third to tie the game and then a single run in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead.

Senior Shane Siebler (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) notched a single to lead off the third and then he was quickly pushed to second base by sophomore Matt McCann (West Windsor, N.J./West Windsor-Plainsboro )'s bunt single.  Junior Dylan Sprague (Brunswick, N.Y./Averill Park) dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third with one out.  With two outs and the runners still on second and third, McClure delivered the two-out, two-run single to tie the game.

In the fourth, senior Riley Moonan (Syracuse, N.Y./Cicero North) walked and then advanced on a sacrifice bunt by junior John Giakas (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville).  A single by freshman Bobby Romano (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan ) moved Moonan to third where he was able to score on a sacrifice fly by Siebler.

The Pioneers tied it at 3-3 in the bottom of the inning, but then FDU grabbed the lead for good on McClure's two-run homer in the fifth.

The Knights added two more insurance runs in the sixth inning and senior Eric Snyder (Slatington, Pa./Northern Lehigh) worked a scoreless sixth and seventh.

McGrath improves to 4-2 on the season with the victory.  He allowed three runs on five hits and five walks, while striking out two over five innings.  Snyder faced the minimum six batters over his two frames.

Siebler and McCann each registered two hits.  Junior Ryan Brennan (Mooresville, N.C./Mooresville) and Seibler had RBI for the Knights.

FDU will look to split the series with a win in Saturday's final game.  The Knights and Pioneers are scheduled for a 12 p.m. first pitch at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard.