MADISON, N.J. – The Knights (1-11, 0-2) opened their three-game series against Sacred Heart (3-8, 2-0) with a doubleheader.
Game 1:
Patrick Gardner started the game for the Knights and was followed by a relief appearance for
Vladimir Ceverino. Gardner had an impressive outing with five innings pitched, striking out eight out of 23 batters faced and only allowing two runs. Ceverino pitched the final four innings of the game striking out six batters while not allowing a run.
Despite a strong game on the mound for the Knights, the offense struggled to find a way to get on the board. FDU only picked up three hits; two from
Nick Quagliato and one from
Brian Sanders.
Game 2:
Despite having nine hits, FDU couldn't find a way to get on the board and left 12 runners on base.
Joey Kosowsky started the game for FDU and totaled 4.2 innings for the Knights. The graduate pitcher struck out five, but had three walks, which proved costly.
Sacred Heart opened the scoring in the 3rd inning that began with a walk, a swipe of second base, and then a single driving in the opening run. Then in the fifth inning the Pioneers had three straight singles with one out to load the bases. Kosowsky then walked in the second run of the game. In the sixth inning, Sacred Heart would get to FDU reliever
Ben Pika. With one out and a runner on first, the Pioneers hit a double driving in one. A single in the following at-bat put runners on second and third. A sac bunt then produced the fourth run followed by a single up the middle drove in the fifth run.
Ben Avila tallied three hits and
Hunter D'Amato who tacked on two hits.
FDU pitchers totaled 22 strikeouts on the day in comparison to Sacred Heart who only totaled 12.
The Knights return to action on Sunday, March 10 as they continue their three-game series against Sacred Heart with game three. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
