WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y.- On the second day of the NEC Championship, #3 FDU fell at the hands of #2 Wagner 13-2 in seven innings. The loss drops the Knights' tournament record to 1-1 and moves them one loss away from elimination. #2 Wagner advances to the winner's bracket championship against top-seeded CCSU tomorrow at 12pm.
Although they were able to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning, momentum turned quickly on the Knights. Wagner answered with two runs of their own and then exploded for seven additional runs in the second. After a day where their defense shined, FDU made three costly errors in the second and third innings which helped Wagner put runs on the board. Heading into the fourth inning, the score was already 11-2 in Wagner's favor.
In total, Wagner plated seven unearned runs on four FDU errors.
George Rosales and
Hunter D'Amato were bright spots in the FDU order. Rosales produced two singles and reached base three times, while D'Amato also reached base three times thanks to two hits and a walk. The two RBIs came from D'Amato and
Joan Sosa, who was hit by a pitch to force in a run.
FDU did have their chances at the plate but clutch pitching from the Seahawks stranded nine Knights on base.
#3 FDU will now play an elimination game against the winner of #4 Sacred Heart and #5 LIU tomorrow at Heritage Financial Park. FDU beat the Sharks two of three times in their series back in March, while the Pioneers took two of three from the Knights when they met in the regular season. First pitch will take place at 4pm and the game can be seen on ESPN3 and NEC Front Row.
