NORTH ANDOVER. MA. - The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball team (20-24, 12-7 NEC) was unable to hold off Merrimack (13-26-1, 8-11 NEC) in its first game of the series on Friday, falling 12-10 at Warrior Baseball Diamond.
How it happened
- Merrimack opened the scoring with a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning.
- Justin Sierra scored the first run for FDU in the top of the third on an RBI single by Tom Ruscitti.
- The Warriors extended their lead with two runs in the bottom of the third.
- Tommy Verga blasted a solo home run in the top of the fourth, and TJ Werner scored off an RBI double by Brelon Harden, making it 3-5.
- Luke Cantwell registered a two-RBI single to tie the game in the fifth, driving in Ruscitti and Rosales. Harden's two-RBI double allowed Cantwell and Verga to score, helping the Knights take the lead.
- Hunter D'Amato scored another run in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by Verga.
- TJ Werner hit his second home run of the season in the seventh inning, extending the lead 9-5.
- Merrimack responded with a two-run home run and an RBI single to make the score 9-8.
- D'Amato hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth, but Merrimack came back strong to score a run in the bottom of the eighth and two home runs in the ninth to pull away with the win.
Inside the box
- Brendan Medoro (2-4) took the loss, allowing four runs and striking out one.
- D'Amato went 2-5 with two runs, one RBI, one home run, and a stolen base.
- Verga went 3-5 with two runs, two RBIs, a double, and a home run.
- Cantwell finished 2-4 with a run, two RBIs, and a walk.
- Harden went 2-5 with three RBIs and two doubles.
Next Up
FDU is back on Saturday, May 7, to take on Merrimack in game two at 1 p.m.
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