UNION, N.J. - FDU Baseball (3-5, 1-0 NEC) opened their NEC schedule by dominating the Wagner Seahawks (1-9, 0-1 NEC), so much to the point that the game was called due to mercy rule after the seventh inning, with the Knights in front 14-2. 

Jimmy Mantuano got the Knights off on the right foot in the contest, as he singled home both Garryn Plummer and Hunter Ray to give FDU a 2-0 lead in the opening frame. The Seahawks cut the lead in half in the second inning, as Wagner got on the board against Knights starter Cooper Montelbano by way of an RBI fielders choice. 

Travis Stroh would get the run back in the fourth inning, as Stroh knocked a two strike single to score Andres Castro in the fourth inning. FDU reliever Chris Messina was aiding the case on the mound for the Knights, holding down the Wagner offense as the Knights looked to extend the lead. 

In the sixth frame, FDU broke the game wide open. Hunter Ray started the scoring in the sixth with a two run double that scored Jeremy Delamota and Travis Stroh. Garryn Plummer was the next Knight to record an RBI, as he got Johnathan Gomez home by way of a sacrifice fly to make the game 6-1.

Jimmy Mantuano was the next batter for FDU, and he was the recipient of another RBI as Mantuano singled home Hunter Ray. Diego Urreta would be the next Knight to score in the inning, as he came home as a result of a wild pitch, and then former Wagner Seahawk Jeremy Delamota drove home two more runs on a two run single to left field. The Knights plated seven total in the inning on four hits and a Wagner error. 

FDU wasn't done however, the Knights were right back on the offensive after a quick shut down bottom of the sixth inning from Messina, Diego Urreta was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score a run, notching his team leading sixth RBI of the season. Following the Urreta hit by pitch, Jimmy Mantuano singled home another run on the very next pitch, to make the game 12-1 FDU. 

Jeremy Cheeseman also got in on the RBI party held at Jim Hynes '63 Stadium, as Cheeseman singled home what would be the final two FDU runs, as the Knights pushed the lead out to 14-1. Wagner would add a run by way of a fielder's choice in the bottom of the seventh, but the game was evntually called due to a mercy rule at the end of the seventh inning. 

This win moves FDU to 3-5 on the season, and 1-0 in NEC play, and this loss for the Seahawks drops them to 1-9 on the year, and a 1-0 record in conference play. 
 

WHAT'S NEXT

FDU and Wagner will square off in the second game of the three game set tomorrow at Jim Hynes '63 Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. from Union, N.J.  Read Full Article