TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball team is slated to begin conference play against the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State this weekend in a three-game series, beginning on Friday.
Game 1: FDU – RHP Evan Raiburn vs. CCSU – RHP Brandon Fox
Game 2: FDU – RHP Trent Valentine vs. CCSU – RHP Mike Appel
Game 3: FDU – RHP Corey Zeller vs. CCSU - TBD
LAST TIME OUT
The Knights spilt its four-game series with the University of Penn at MCU Park. In its last two games, the Knights won the opening game by a score of 3-1, behind a stellar pitching performance from Corey Zeller who pitched 5.2 innings of one run ball, only giving up three hits. In game two, the Knights dropped a wild 16-8 game to the Quakers. Adam Frank led FDU with a 3-for-5 effort at the plate, scoring two runs. Connor Stanton and Jason Fatzinger each tallied two hits as well for the Knights.
FRESHMAN FRANK
Freshman infielder Adam Frank garnered NEC Co-Rookie of the Week honors this past week. In his last 20 plate appearances, Frank is hitting .550, totaling 11 hits and 4 RBIs. On the season, Frank leads the team with a .450 batting average, leading the team with 18 hits.
MIGHTY MCDONALD
Catcher Evan McDonald is having quite the season so far for The Burgundy and Blue, hitting .277 in 13 games played so far. McDonald also paces the team in home runs with four, RBIs with 13, and runs scored, having scored 11 runs.
FIERCE FATZINGER
Jason Fatzinger has contributed in the early part of the season for coach Gary Puccio's squad. Fatzinger is batting .324 with 16 hits and five doubles, while scoring nines in 13 games played.
STREAKING ORTIZ
Freshman Jason Ortiz has been playing well as of late, hitting .333, with nine RBIs in his last five games (5-for-5). Ortiz has raised his batting average 90 points from .200 to .290.
RELIABLE FLACK
Fifth-year senior Joe Flack has taken his new rule as a closer and ran with it, as Flack has only given up one earned run in his last 10 innings of work. Flack was essential when he came on in relief and gave the Knights 5.1 quality innings to earn the win, following that with an important save over Penn in game one of the second day against Penn.
ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS
Central Connecticut State comes into the series with a 3-8 overall record, while going 1-2 in conference in which the Blackbirds of LIU Brooklyn won the three-game series, winning two games. The Blue Devils are led by the freshman duo of Peyton Stephens and Jake Siracusa. Stephens paces the team with a .368 batting average and 14 hits, while Siracusa is hitting .314. As a team, CCSU is hitting .254. The ace of for the Blue Devils is Mike Appel, as the right hander has two wins through four starts, earning him a 5.30 ERA through 18.2 innings, striking out 22 batters. Andrew Braun is first in relief for the Blue Devils, pitching in four games, having a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings.
UP NEXT
The Knights will host the Blackbirds of LIU Brooklyn at the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex for a three-game series beginning on Thursday, March 29
