NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The FDU Knights (2-18, 2-4 NEC) wrapped up their three-game series against Central Connecticut (7-3, 5-1 NEC) with a hard-fought 13-8 loss on Sunday.
The Knights struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when
Nate Dudeck delivered an RBI. However, the Blue Devils responded in the bottom half, capitalizing on a pair of walks before a two-run double down the left field line put them ahead 2-1.
FDU quickly answered in the third as
Diego Urreta singled up the middle to bring home
Jimmy Mantuano, who had doubled earlier in the inning, tying the game at 2-2. Central Connecticut reclaimed the lead in the fourth with a sacrifice fly that plated two runs, making it 4-2.
The Blue Devils extended their advantage in the fifth, tacking on three more runs behind a pair of doubles and a triple to push their lead to 7-2.
FDU clawed back in the sixth, scoring four runs to cut the deficit to one. With the bases loaded and one out, Dudeck came through with an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly from
Tyler Worth, bringing the Knights within striking distance at 7-6.
The momentum continued in the eighth when
Jeremy Cheeseman launched a game-tying solo home run over the right field wall, making it 7-7. However, Central Connecticut answered emphatically in the bottom half, capitalizing on walks, defensive miscues, and timely hitting to erupt for six runs and seize control with a 13-7 lead.
FDU pushed one more run across in the ninth on Urreta's RBI single, but the late rally fell short as the Knights dropped the series finale, 13-8.
WHAT'S NEXT
The FDU Knights will travel to Marist on Wednesday, March 19. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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