BOX SCORE

Teaneck, NJ - Fairleigh Dickinson overcame a seven-run deficit en route to a 9-8 victory over Wagner in the first game of a Northeast Conference (NEC) doubleheader at FDU Field. In defeat, the Green & White fall to 10-13 and 6-4 in the NEC while the Knights improve to 5-18 and 4-6 in the league.

Seven of the nine Wagner regulars hit safely with juniors Seth Boyd (Perth Amboy, NJ / Perth Amboy), Brian Martutartus (Carlsbad, CA / La Costa Canyon), Kevin McDonnell (Bristol, CT / Avon Old Farms) and sophomore Tommy Higgins (Port Monmouth, NJ / Red Bank Catholic) each recorded two hits as the quartet went 8-for-12 with six runs, four RBI and three walks.

After scoring just three runs in yesterday's game, the Seahawks put a three-spot up in the top of the first inning, using three singles, two walks and four stolen bases. Senior Damian Csakai (Freehold Township, NJ / Freehold Township) got things started with an infield single. After Csakai stole second, Martutartus battled his way to a 10-pitch walk. The duo then stole second-and-third before McDonnell drew a four-pitch walk. The Seahawks went ahead 1-0 on a run-scoring double play while Martutartus advanced to third base. Boyd legged out the second infield hit of the frame, plating Martutartus. Boyd then stole second on the next pitch and Higgins picked him up with a run-scoring single to left field, capping the three-run first.

FDU got a run back in the bottom of the second inning when Joe Martino scored on an Eric Anderson RBI fielder's choice.

The Seahawks responded with five runs while batting around in the top of the third inning. Martutartus and McDonnell each singled to lead off the frame, before moving up to second-and-third on a passed ball. Boyd brought the pair around with a two-run double down the left-field line for his second and third RBI of the game. Higgins then walked on four pitches and both Boyd and Higgins advanced to second-and-third on a wild pitch. Junior Jon Lucas (Hackettstown, NJ / Hackettstown) followed with a run-scoring single, plating Boyd while pushing Higgins to third base. Classmate Jared Gruccio (Landisville, NJ / Buena Regional) made it 7-1 with a sacrifice fly. Freshman Gaby Ramirez (San Juan, Puerto Rico / Perkiomen (PA)) capped the scoring with a RBI double to centerfield, plating Lucas from first base.

The Knights had a chance to dent the lead with in the bottom of the fourth inning, loading the bases with no outs but were denied by fifth-year senior RHP Matt Watson (Howell, NJ / Howell), who struck out the next two batters before inducing an inning-ending fly out.

FDU would again load up the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fifth inning before coming away with four runs while batting around in cutting the Green & White lead to 8-5.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Knights drew to within one at 8-7 on a Mike Eliasen RBI single and an Eric Anderson bases-loaded walk.

Wagner had an opportunity to add to its lead in the top of the seventh inning as Higgins led off with a single but was left stranded at third base.

FDU took advantage of a lead-off walk and a one-out error in rallying for the tying and game-winning run in the bottom part of the seventh inning as Zach Holsman tied it up at 8-8 with a RBI double before Stephen LaForge won it with a RBI single to shallow centerfield.

The Knights bullpen did not allow a run over its 4.0 innings of work as Spencer Kelly (1-4) earned the win, pitching a scoreless seventh. Junior LHP David Rees (Staten Island, NY / Xavier) was the tough-luck loser allowing an unearned run on two hits over 0.2 innings.

Higgins was outstanding for the Green & White, reaching base safely in all four of his trips (2-2; BB, HBP) to the plate to lead the offense.

For FDU, Holsman went 4-for-5 with a double and three runs while LaForge was 3-for-4 with two RBI.