FAIRFIELD, CT - After dropping game one on Friday against Sacred Heart the Knights looked to even the series at 1-1 with a win in Saturday's contest. A steady scoring outburst and clutch pitching attack led FDU to their 21st win of the season as they defeated the Pioneers 7-4. 
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Tom Ruscitti got the home run parade going early when he took Pioneer starter deep in the first inning to give the Knights a quick 1-0 lead only three batters into the game. The home run attack did not stop there as Luke Cantwell blasted his 11th long ball of the season in the second inning only before Brian Sanders extend the FDU lead with his fourth big fly of the year; the Knights led 5-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning. 

Mr. Reliable, Rich Racobaldo got the start for the Knights and he cruised through two innings as his offense gave him a comfortable lead before he ran into some trouble in the third. Two Sacred Heart runs came across the plate after a fielder's choice and a ground out to Joan Sosa at shortstop; that cut the lead down to 5-2. The Pioneers grabbed one more run in the bottom of the fourth when Sam Mongelli singled up the middle to cut their deficit to 5-3. Racobaldo, who notably has not pitched anything more or less than five innings in every start this season gave the Knights exaclty what he always does with another five inning performance. He exited in the fifth with a 5-3 lead and only allowing three runs on five hits and five strikeouts; Brendan Medoro entered the game in the sixth. 

The comeback attempt from the Pioneers was halted in the sixth inning when FDU was able to tack on two more runs after a Sosa sacrifice fly and a RBI double from Justin Sierra; the lead was extended to 7-3. Medoro out of the 'pen silenced the Sacred Heart bats for three of the four innings he pitched. He did not allow a hit until the ninth inning when he faced trouble closing out the game. He loaded the bases with nobody out before a wild pitch advanced the runners and allowed the Pioneers to gain a run and make cut the deficit to 7-4. However, Medoro worked his magic and was able to strike out three of the next four batters to escape the jam and pick up his second save of the season. His final line was four innings, one run on one hit, with seven strikekouts. 

FDU and Sacred Heart will be back in action tomorrow at 1 p.m. as they will battle it out in the rubber match game to see how will win the season series. Fans at home can listen to a live audio broadcast of the game on the SHU Big Red network or follow live updates on Twitter @FDUKnightsBASE.