Box Score

TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball team received a career-high eight strikeouts from freshman right-hander Trent Valentine but dropped its series opener with LIU Brooklyn 5-0 at Naimoli Family Baseball Complex on Thursday afternoon.

Making his fifth career start, the freshman Valentine (1-2) struck out eight across his 5.2 innings of work, allowing nine hits, four earned runs and a pair of walks. Despite a solid outing from the first-year starter, the Knights (7-10, 0-4 NEC) dropped their fifth straight as the Blackbirds (11-10, 3-1 NEC) continued their strong start to conference play.

Sophomore outfielder and 2017 All-NEC Second Team honoree Mike Veit was the lone Knight to record a multi-hit performance finishing 3-for-4 in the loss.

LIU starter Patrick Clyne (3-2) held the FDU lineup in check, outdueling Valentine by striking out 14 Knights through his eight shutout innings. Clyne's work on the mound allowed the Blackbirds' first-inning tally to be more than enough offense in the victory.

Leadoff batter Gregory Vaughn Jr. hit a double to center field to begin the game and came around to score on a single by junior Brock Hallum with two outs for what would equate to the winning run. The Blackbirds added another run in the second inning on a Vaughn single to make it a 2-0 game. The visitors added to their lead in the fourth with a Luis Arias single followed by a RBI double by outfielder Joe Curcio, which resulted in a 3-0 edge.

Vaughn spearheaded the Blackbirds' attack with a perfect 4-for-4 afternoon and plated the team's fourth run with a sixth-inning knock.

The Knights' best scoring chance came in the home first when junior catcher Evan McDonald drew a two-out walk. Veit and sophomore centerfielder Brandon Seltzer followed with singles but Clyne buckled down to strike out Joe O'Rouke to end the frame. The FDU bats were held in check for the remainder of the contest as they mustered six hits against Clyne and reliever Baylor Lapointe, who came on to pitch the ninth.

Freshman Evan Raiburn relieved Valentine and provided the Knights with 3.2 innings of one-run baseball, allowing four hits and three walks to go along with three punchouts.

These two teams square off tomorrow with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. at the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex.