Bulldogs drop opener with FDU

TEANECK, N.J. – Fairleigh Dickinson hit four home runs to take game one of this weekend's Northeast Conference series, 12-4, against the Bryant University baseball team.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 11-15 overall and 3-4 in the NEC. It also marks the first time the Bulldogs have lost three-straight NEC regular-season games.

Matt Woods and Derek Smith each had two hits and Carmine Petosa drove in two for the Bulldogs.

Game Information
Fairleigh Dickinson 12, Bryant 4
Records: Bryant 11-15, 3-4 NEC | FDU 12-17, 5-2 NEC
Location: Naimoli Family Baseball Complex (Teaneck, N.J.)
W|L|S: Jake Simon (3-1) | Kyle Rizy (0-1) | Brendan Medoro (4)

Key Moment

• Justin Sierra's second home run of the game broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the fourth to give the Knights the lead for good.                            

How it Happened

• FDU raced out to a 4-0 on Friday with three home runs. The Knights got a two-run home run in the first and then back-to-back solo home runs in the second.
• Bryant responded with the next four runs. Lane brought home the first run with an RBI single to left in the third.
• In the fourth, the Bulldogs plated three runs to tie the game at 4-4. Petosa doubled off the top of the right field wall to score two and Woods tied the game with a double into the right field corner.
• FDU quickly answered, scoring three times in its half of the fourth. A two-run home run made it 6-4 and a throwing error allowed the third run to score.  
• The Knights added three more runs in the sixth and two in the seventh. A two-out error led to the three runs in the sixth, while a double play and a two-out double plate the runs in the seventh.

Stats and Game Notes

• Bryant hit into an array of double plays on Friday. The Bulldogs hit into double plays in the second, third and sixth innings, while also running into a double play on a pop up in the fifth.
• With the loss, Bryant has dropped three-straight NEC regular-season games for the first time. It's the first time since May 3, 2014 that Bryant has given up 10+ runs in back-to-back NEC games.
• Bryant's streak of 17-straight wins against the Knights was also snapped. It was FDU's first win over Bryant since April 9, 2016. The Bulldogs are 41-5 all-time against the Knights.
• Kyle Rizy tossed 2.2 innings of relief, allowing four runs (one earned) on two hits. He walked four and struck out two.
• Woods finished with two hits, including an RBI double.
• Smith had a pair of hits and scored twice. 
• Petosa drove in two with a double.
• Lane drove in his team-leading 19th run of the year.   

Up Next
Bryant and FDU continue their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.