STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The FDU Knights (24-27, 17-13) opened their three-game series at Wagner (24-27, 20-11) with a crucial 7-4 victory over the Seahawks that was powered by a five-run second inning.
Staten Island native, junior,
Patrick Gardner started the day on the mound for FDU where he completed five successful innings of work. Gardner put away five batters through strikeout with no earned runs.
The Knights got on the board first thanks to an RBI single off the bat of
Justin Sierra to score
Brian Sanders, giving the Knights an early 1-0 lead.
FDU's offense heated up in the second inning where they tacked on five more runs.
Nate Dudeck singled up the middle to ignite the Knights offense and was moved to third off a double from Sanders.
Jeremy Cheeseman cleared the bases with a single through the right side to add two runs to the FDU lead. With a single from
Hunter D'Amato and Sierra being walked, the bases were loaded.
Joey DiMotta walked to bring in Cheeseman. The bats continued to stay hot with a clutch two-run single from
Nick Quagliato to give the Knights a 6-0 lead at the end of the half.
Wagner found some production in the bottom of the fifth with two RBI singles. The Seahawks still trailed the Knights 6-2.
In the top of the sixth, with the bases loaded,
Joan Sosa, and his selective eye, walked in Sierra who occupied third to extend the Knights lead to 7-2.
The Seahawks scored two off a single to right field which accounted for their final runs of the day bringing the score to 7-4.
Neither team scored the remainder of the game, giving the Knights a game one victory of 7-4 over the Seahawks.
We saw
Nicholas Feretic and
Vladimir Ceverino make relief appearances pitching the final four innings. The duo combined for five strikeouts and Ceverino was credited his fifth save of the season.
The Knights managed to pick up 12 hits and eight walks in today's game. Four Knights picked up a multi-hit game with Sanders, Cheeseman, D'Amato and Dudeck all recording two hits apiece. Sierra, DiMotta, Quagliato and Werner each tacked on one hit as well.
UP NEXT
The Knights will return to action to continue their three-game series at Wagner on Friday, May 17. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be streamed on NEC Front Row.
Connect with the FDU Baseball team on Twitter
@FDUKnightsBASE and Instagram
@FDUKnightsBASE
