Box Score
NEWARK, NJ – Fairleigh Dickinson scored three runs in the third, four in the fourth and six in the seventh inning, cruising to a 14-2 win over NJIT Wednesday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
Fairleigh Dickinson, which pounded out 17 hits against six NJIT pitchers was led by LF DJ Robinson with a 4-for-6 day, which included seven RBI and two runs. RF Steven LaForge was 4-for-5 with two runs, while C Erik Pollag went 3-for-5 with two runs.
The winning pitcher, with a strong six innings, was Knights senior starter Terry Lydecker, who recorded his first win of the season, scattering eight hits and two runs. Chris Theordor pitched three scoreless innings for FDU in relief to get credit for a save.
NJIT's starting pitcher, right-hander Steven Ace took the loss, pitching 3.1 innings. Freshman John Prestano allowed one run on three hits in 2.2 innings pitched, while Frank Shivers and John Gray pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning for NJIT.
The Highlanders, with 11 hits, were led by 2B Matt Tomczyk, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI. Jeffrey Pizzi and Jeff Peterson had two hits apiece for the Highlanders.
NJIT tied the game in the bottom of the second, 1-1, on a two-out single by Tomczyk. The first two Highlanders grounded out. Pizzi and Bickert recorded back-to-back singles to left field and Pizzi scored on a single up the middle by Tomczyk for NJIT's first run of the game.
Fairleigh Dickinson (9-22) combined for seven runs over the next two innings, for a 8-1 lead heading into the fifth. NJIT's Ace recorded the first two outs in the third inning but Robinson's two-out single drove home two runs. Sophomore Ryan Kresky doubled to right center, driving in the visitors' third run of the inning.
The Knights added four more runs in the top of the fourth inning on three hits and two errors by the home team. Robinson got things going for the Knights driving in his third run of the game with a single to left field and DH Joe Martino hit a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Brian Dillon, who reached first on a walk.
NJIT (9-24) added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Pizzi led off the inning with a double, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a RBI single to shortstop by Tomczyk.
The Knights pulled away with six runs in the seventh inning. 2B Matt Holsman knocked in two runs with a single to center and Robinson cleared the bases on a double to left center.
The Highlanders will play their first-ever home Great West Conference baseball series in Newark when they host Texas-Pan American in a four-game set beginning on Friday at noon at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
Great West Conference series are scheduled for a single game on Fridays, a doubleheader on Saturdays, and a single game on Sundays.
Saturday's doubleheader will begin at 10 am at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium and will wrap up on Sunday at 9 am at Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair, NJ.
Texas-Pan American comes into the series (12-20 overall, 1-7 in the conference).
