TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball team is back home for a crucial three-game series this weekend against Wagner College on May 6-7 at the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex.
The Knights (11-24, 7-8 NEC) are hoping to build on their 25-run performance from Tuesday's win at Saint Peter's and get back on track in the NEC where they currently sit in the fourth and final postseason spot.
Prior to
Tuesday's rout of the Peacocks, the Knights suffered a four-game setback at Bryant, including a heart-wrenching walk-off loss in the ninth inning of the series finale on Sunday.
With 11 NEC games to go, the Knights and head coach
Gary Puccio know the importance of this weekend's series with the Seahawks (14-22, 6-8 NEC). The Knights hold a slim 0.5-game lead over Wagner for the fourth spot.
It's been an eventful last few days for FDU senior shortstop
Matt McCann, who became the program's all-time leader in stolen bases on Sunday at Bryant. McCann now has 72 stolen bases and is just one hit shy of 200 for his career. Additionally, the senior shortstop and team captain knocked in a career-high five RBI in Tuesday's 25-10 win at Saint Peter's. At
Monday's athletic department awards banquet, McCann earned the George Braun Alumni Leadership Award for his contributions on and off of the field.
This weekend features a battle of contrasting strengths as the Knights lead the NEC in batting average at .291, slugging percentage .417 and home runs with 27, while the Seahawks excel on the mound.
Wagner currently leads the NEC in opposing batting average where they limit the opposition to a .250 clip. They also sit second in ERA (4.46) and strikeouts (249). The team enters this weekend's series after a 12-10 loss at Rutgers on Tuesday. Prior to the non-conference game with the Scarlet Knights, the Seahawks split a four-game series with LIU Brooklyn.
Series History: FDU leads 78-65 but the Seahawks lead the season series 2-1 after taking two of three at MCU Park on March 24-25.
Links:
Knights Baseball Roundup 5/3
Wagner Baseball page
Live Coverage: Stats
Weekend Schedule:
Saturday, May 6 – 12:00 p.m.
Probable Starters
Game 1:
Evan Layne (FDU) LHP vs. Chris Mormile (WAG) RHP
Game 2:
Danny Demetrops (FDU) LHP vs. Austin Goeke (WAG) RHP
Sunday, May 7– 1:00 p.m.
Probable Starters:
Corey Zeller (FDU) RHP vs. Danny Marsh (WAG) RHP
Up Next: The Knights host LIU Brooklyn for a four-game series from Friday, May 12 – Sunday, May 14.
