TEANECK, N.J. – The FDU Knights (9-30, 9-11 NEC) edged out the Mercyhurst Lakers (10-26, 8-12 NEC) in a thrilling 8-7 win on Friday afternoon at the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex.
FDU opened the game with two-way standout
Jeremy Cheeseman on the mound. The junior pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four runs on two hits while striking out one.
The Knights wasted no time getting on the board.
Hunter Ray launched a towering two-run home run over the right field fence to give FDU an early 2-0 lead. Just one pitch later,
Johnathan Gomez added to the momentum with a solo shot to dead center, pushing the Knights ahead 3-0 heading into the second inning.
Mercyhurst responded quickly in the top of the second. Casey Smith drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to center, and the Lakers' leadoff hitter followed with a two-RBI double to tie the game at 3-3.
The Lakers added three more runs across the fourth and fifth innings to take a 6-3 lead, capitalizing on a sacrifice fly, an RBI double, and a defensive miscue by the Knights.
FDU answered back in the bottom of the fifth.
Anthony Chiappetta, who has made his presence known behind the plate with three caught stealings in the series, made his mark offensively with a solo home run to left field. Later in the inning, Ray crushed his second homer of the game—another blast to right field—cutting the deficit to 6-5.
Mercyhurst added what they hoped would be an insurance run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly, extending their lead to 7-5. But the Knights had other plans.
In the bottom half of the frame, Ray scored on a wild pitch to pull FDU within one. Then, with runners on,
Tyler Worth delivered a clutch two-run single to right, putting the Knights on top 8-7—a lead they would hold onto to seal the victory.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Knights and Lakers will face-off again on Saturday, April 19 to close their three-game series at Naimoli Family Baseball Complex in Teaneck, N.J. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. and will be streamed on NEC Front Row.
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