HACKENSACK, N.J. – In a back and forth contest, FDU (5-16, 4-11) 9
th inning rally against Wagner (7-14, 4-11) wasn't enough, falling 11-10. The game did not count towards the NEC standings as it was a non-league game between NEC opponents.
How it Happened:
1
st Inning:
- The Knights struck first with a two-run home run by freshman Tommy Verga to left field
2
nd Inning:
- Wagner was able to start their rally with a walk, a balk that advanced the runner, and single
- The ninth place batter laid down a bunt that was thrown away by the Knights allowing the tying run to score
- Another walk loaded the bases and Wagner hit a single to right field driving home two more runs and taking the lead
- A wild pitch would advance the runners and a proceeding single would extend the lead to 6-2
- In the bottom half junior Michael Gruber led things off with a double to right field
- Graduate student Mike Veit singled to bring Gruber home and cut the deficit in half
3
rd Inning:
- The Seahawks were able to put another run on the board. A one-out walk put a runner on base who then advanced to the third after several passed balls
- Wagner singled up the middle driving home the baserunner
4
th Inning:
- FDU responded with two walks and hit-by-pitch loading the bases for Veit, who flew out to left field for a sacrifice fly and RBI
- Following a passed ball allowing the runners to advance to second and third, Hunter D'Amato drove in the runners with a single up the middle cutting the Wagner lead to one
5
th Inning:
- Sophomore Justin Sierra led off with a double to the left field
- Freshman Blaise Rantanen drove in Sierra to tie the game with a single to center field. The ball was misplayed by the centerfielder allowing Rantanen to take second base
- Gruber then hit an RBI double to left field giving the Knights the 8-7 lead
7
th Inning:
- The Seahawks retook the lead after several walks started the rally and then the visitors capitalized with a three-run home run to center field
9
th Inning:
- In the top half of the inning, Wagner added a critical insurance run with two outs
- FDU would rally starting with a James Donlon bunt single
- After a Verga walk, sophomore Justin Sierra doubled to right-center field driving home Donlon
- Senior Brad Levinson then singled bringing the Knights to within a run
- After back-to-back strikeouts, FDU would load the bases with a walk, but would leave the runners stranded as Veit grounded out to end the game
Inside the Box Score:
- D'Amato continued his hitting streak to seven games
- Veit picked up two more RBIs bringing his total to 17 tied for the team lead
Next Up:
FDU remains home for the remainder of the week as Merrimack (12-15, 8-7) comes to Teaneck, N.J. for a three-game series starting Friday at 3 p.m.