MADISON, N.J. - The FDU Knights (2-11, 1-2) took down the Sacred Heart Pioneers (3-9, 2-1) in an exciting back-and-forth battle.
1st inning:
Sacred Heart opened the scoring with a first-pitch home run to center field by Michael Simmonelli.
Bottom First:
FDU struck back with four runs in the bottom half of the inning, starting with two straight walks to open the frame. Following a wild pitch that advanced the runners, Hunter D'Amato grounded out to second but did enough to drive in Luke Russo. Franklin Gomez Jr. did well with a suicide squeeze to ensure Justin Sierra could cross home safely for the second run of the inning. Following another walk, the Knights delivered two RBI singles by Brelon Harden and Tommy Verga.
Top 2:
Walks would once again come back and hurt FDU as back-to-back walks would start the rally for the Pioneers. After both runners would double-steal, a single over TJ Werner drove in two runs to cut the FDU lead to one.
Bottom 3:
FDU struck again with a leadoff single by Joan Sosa. The hot-hitting Nick Quagliato almost hit his first career home run, but the umpires ruled the ball hit the top of the fence, and his double drove in Sosa.
Top 4:
Sacred Heart struck back with another first-pitch solo home run over the center field fence.
Top 5:
Ian Barrett came on to replace starter Zac Capps. The Pioneers tied it up with a base hit to start the inning falling in front of Brelon Harden. The next batter hit a ball sharply by the first baseman and all Werner could do is knock it down. The Pioneers then started moving the runners, with a steal of third and advance to second on the throw to third. They would get the fifth run with a single to right field.
Bottom 5:
The back-and-forth game continued in the bottom half as Quagliato started the rally with a double to right center field. With Quagliato at third, Tommy Verga then delivered the go-ahead infield single driving home Quagliato by beating the throw at first.
Top 6:
A one-out walk would eventually cost the Knights as a passed ball, followed by a throwing error would bring the tying runner to third. The Pioneers put the safety squeeze on to drive in the run and FDU could not convert the out.
Bottom 6:
The chaos on the basepaths would lead to another run for FDU. Justin Sierra hit a line drive single up the middle. He then stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch.
9th Inning:
The game ended with fireworks. Sacred Heart tied the game with a solo home run, their third of the day. FDU would answer to end it, beginning with a Hunter D'Amato infield single. D'Amato stole second after the ball popped out of the shortstop's glove on the tag. Franklin Gomez Jr. singled, pushing D'Amato to third. The Pioneers then gifted the Knights two more walks to end the game.
Zac Capps started the game pitching four innings, allowing four runs off three hits. The Knights used
Ian Barrett and
Vladimir Ceverino in relief who totaled seven strikeouts in four innings pitched. The two relievers allowed three runs with seven hits.
The Knights were able to pick up eight runs as a result of selective eyes and barreling up at the plate. FDU recorded 12 hits in today's game.
Nick Quagliato led the Knights with three hits, two of which being doubles and contributed two runs and two RBI's.
Tommy Verga picked up two hits while
Luke Russo,
Justin Sierra,
Hunter D'Amato,
Franklin Gomez Jr.,
Joan Sosa,
Brelon Harden and
TJ Werner were able to contribute hits as well. Five Knights picked up walks and
Joan Sosa logging two.
The Knights will travel to take on Hofstra on Tuesday, March 12 for a midweek match-up. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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