ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The FDU Knights (0-3) wrapped up their season-opening series against UNC Asheville (3-0) with an 11-7 loss on Sunday.
Freshman right-hander
Cooper Montelbano took the mound for the Knights, facing a red-hot Bulldogs lineup that struck early with a two-run first inning. UNC Asheville added to their lead in the third, plating two more runs to make it 4-0.
FDU responded in the top of the fourth with a disciplined approach at the plate, loading the bases with no outs. Freshman
Johnathan Gomez put the Knights on the board in a big way, lacing a bases-clearing triple down the right-field line. Moments later,
Nick Quagliato drove in Gomez with a hard-hit ball, tying the game at 4-4.
However, the Bulldogs quickly reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning, scoring twice to go up 6-4. They continued to apply pressure in the fifth, using small ball to manufacture two more runs and extend their advantage to 8-4.
The Knights battled back in the sixth. With one out, back-to-back walks set the table for
Jeremy Cheeseman, who delivered a clutch single to left center, scoring
Travis Stroh and
Diego Urreta to cut the deficit to three.
UNC Asheville added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings, capitalizing on an RBI single up the middle and a sacrifice fly to push the score to 11-6.
FDU showed late-game fight in the ninth, as Stroh drove in a run to give the Knights a spark. However, the rally fell short, sealing an 11-7 final in favor of the Bulldogs.
The Knights will head to Murfreesboro, Tenn., for a three-game series against Middle Tennessee State at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Game one is set for Friday, February 21, at 3 p.m.
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