NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball team dropped its opening game of the weekend to Central Connecticut State 17-3 on Friday afternoon.
 
The Knights (15-32-1, 9-10 NEC) were unable to slow the Blue Devils (22-19, 12-7 NEC), who exploded for 10 runs in the fourth inning to build an insurmountable lead.
 
Reigning NEC Rookie of the Week, Salvatore Monticciolo accounted for all of the Knights runs in a 3-for-4 effort, which included his NEC-leading 12^th home run of the season. Junior outfielder Mike Veit and NEC Player of the Week, Evan McDonald each finished 2-for-4 in the loss.
 
Five Blue Devils tallied two or more RBI in the win led by Jay Devito and Sam Loda, who knocked in three runs apiece.
 
In the first inning, the home team struck for three runs on two hits against FDU starter Brendan Medoro (6-4).
 
The 3-0 lead would stand until the fourth inning when the Knights broke into the scoring column on an RBI double by Monticciolo. The freshman knocked in McDonald who had reached via a leadoff single.
 
In the bottom of the frame, the Blue Devils would break the game wide open with 10 runs on nine hits. The inning featured four doubles and two triples as the Blue Devils knocked Medoro from the game and tallied three more runs against reliever Chris Quijano.
 
After McDonald registered a one-out single, Monticciolo stepped in and clobbered a two-run blast, which resulted in the Knights' final two runs of the game.
 
Tom Curtin (4-3) earned the win for the Blue Devils by tossing seven innings and allowing nine hits, while striking out a pair.
 
Due to Sunday's forecast, these two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow with first pitch set for 12:00 p.m.