By Julian Bell
Sports Writer
The men’s baseball team came up short on April 18 against Delaware State, despite a last- minute comeback attempt. The Knights almost overcame a ve-run de cit late in the contest, but the Hornets won 8-7.
The game started slowly, with a both teams scoreless through two. The Knights (10-20, 7-4 NEC) took an early 2-0 lead after senior shortstop Matt McCann hit a single to center in the bottom of the third, scoring freshman out elder James Donlon and junior first baseman Jason Fatzinger on the play.
McCann was explosive, accounting for three of FDU’s seven hits. He also stole his 15th base of the season, which ties him for third in school history with 68, according to Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications Bryan Jackson.
The Hornets (14-19, 7-9 NEC) finally responded in the fifth inning after a scoreless fourth for both teams. Freshman catcher Ciaran Devenney hit a sacrifice fly and junior in elder Devin Beverly scored from third, pulling them within one.
FDU sophomore southpaw Evan Layne pitched for ve innings before being replaced by Jake Sciarotta. Layne allowed only two hits and struck out ve batters before the Hornets launched their offensive assault in the sixth.
The Knights scored again in the bottom of the fifth after senior out elder Ryan Brenann reached home on a eldingerror.James Donlon then scored an unearned run after Matt McCann advanced to second base. Donlon scored twice on the day, bringing his total to 12 for the season. FDU was up 3-1 by the end of the inning.
The Hornets made their comeback at the start of the sixth inning and never looked back. Junior out elder Austin Bentley knocked in a pair of runs on a hit to left center, tying the game at 3-3. The game turned after Ciarran Devenney was hit by a wild pitch.With the bases loaded, Bentley scored and the Hornets took control 4-3.
After a scoreless seventh, DSU romped throughout the eighth inning, scoring three runs with no response from the struggling Knights. Freshman third baseman Jared Gillis led o the scoring drive with a single to right field. Devenney advanced to second base and senior in elder Kwestin Smith went to third. Senior catcher Evan Regez scored on the play.
Sophomore in elder Todd Henry flied out to right field as Devenney advanced to third, and Smith scored. Next, senior out elder Jaylen Zielecki sealed the game for the Hornets after he was awarded a walk and teammate Devenney scored on a wild pitch, putting them up 8-3.
The Knights kept fighting, though, scoring four runs in the final inning. McCann scored from second base on a Hornets throwing error. Then, junior third baseman Bobby Romano advanced to third, while freshman catcher Joe O’Rourke walked.
With the game at 8-4 in the bottom of the ninth, the pressure was on and the Knights went to work. The bases were loaded and freshman in elder Hunter Reeser went up to bat. Reeser was red up and hit a double down the left line. The bases were cleared, which put the game at 8-7. But FDU’s last- minute efforts weren’t enough to top Delaware State as they were able to strike out junior out elder Jason Fatzinger.
The Knights prepare for a four-game series against Bryant in Smith eld, R.I. starting on April 28.
