HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The FDU Knights (0-8, 0-0) opened their three-game series against the Marshall Herd (3-6, 0-0) with a hard-fought 5-4 loss on Friday.
Right-hander
Chris Mattioli took the mound for the Knights, while Bryce Blevins got the start for Marshall. The Herd wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, striking for three runs in the first inning. A two-run double into right field put Marshall on top early, and just two batters later, another double to right extended the lead to 3-0.
FDU responded with power in the third and fourth innings. Freshman
Felix Gonzalez launched a solo home run over the center-field wall to put the Knights on the board. An inning later,
Nate Dudeck crushed a two-run homer to right-center, tying the game at 3-3.
However, the Herd regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, as their center fielder laced a two-run double to left-center, making it 5-3.
The Knights cut the deficit in the sixth when
Hunter Ray drove in
Johnathan Gomez on a fielder's choice, but despite their late push, FDU fell just short.
What's Next
The Knights look to even the series in game two against Marshall on Saturday, March 1, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington, W.Va. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN+.
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