By Julian Bell
Sports Writer
(TEANECK) – The men’s baseball team won their first two home games of the season against Lafayette College and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), on March 7 and March 8.
Freshman outfielder James Donlon and junior Jason Fatzinger each hit a home run on the afternoon, which led the Knights (4-10) past Lafayette 10-9 in their first home game of the season. The Leopards (2-21) held on for as long as they could, but the Knights were able to come out on top.
Senior southpaw Danny Demetrops posted a 3.38 ERA in his first win of the season against Lafayette. Demetrops, who has an overall 2.75 ERA on the season, pitched for five innings with two strikeouts and four runs allowed.
The Knights gained an early lead after freshman outfielder Brandon Seltzer stole second base and scored on an error. Senior shortstop Matt McCann got on and stole third, then scored on a throwing error, which put FDU up 2-0 in the first inning. McCann stole two bases for the day and went 3-for-4. The Leopards hit the first homer of the contest after junior outfielder Luke hit a single to right. Robinson finished with two RBI and went 2-for-3.
With the game tied 3-3 in the third, the Knights responded with a home run of their own. James Donlon blasted one over the center field fence. Donlon had three RBI against Lafayette, and four for the season.
The Leopards fought hard to slow down FDU, but the Knights prevailed with another big blast. Jason Fatzinger hit a homer to left field, putting the Knights up 7-4.
Lafayette rallied and pulled within a run, but their comeback fell short, and the Knights triumphed 10-9.
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The Knights’ relentless home run hitting and ability to steal bases earned them their second win at home against NJIT for the regular season.
Jason Fatzinger paced FDU in their win over the Highlanders with two home runs for the afternoon. Fatzinger went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, bringing to eight his total for the season.
The Knights hit five homers against NJIT (3-17), but the Highlanders scored first. Junior infielder Johnny Malatesta homered in the second inning. Malatesta went 3-for-3 with one RBI for NJIT.
After Malatesta’s home run, FDU began their home-run assault. Freshman infielder Jorge Iza delivered the Knights’ first homer of the game in the second inning. Fatzinger followed suit with another, putting FDU ahead 3-1, and they never looked back.
Knights sophomore lefty Evan Layne threw five innings against NJIT. He finished with a 3.60 ERA for the game, and has a 3.12 ERA for the season. He allowed five hits and two runs, his most this season.
The Highlanders inched their way back into the ballgame, but FDU stretched their lead each time.
Though the Knights were only up 3-2 in the third, aggressive hitting was the key that eliminated any chance of an NJIT comeback. FDU sophomore catcher Evan McDonald broke the game wide open with a homer to right. McDonald went 2-for-3, and is hitting .321 on the season. Senior outfielder Ryan Brennan, who finished with four RBI and four runs scored, homered next. Fatzinger sent the Highlanders home with a blast in the seventh, sealing the deal at 14-7.
The Knights look to continue their winning ways as they head to Cincinnati to play Xavier in a three game series starting March 31.
