Blackbirds Win Rubber Match- Defeat FDU, 8-6
Durkin and Burke Combine for 4 RBI

(box score)

4/15/06 -- Senior Sean Durkin (Damascus, Md.) and sophomore Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) posted multi-hit performances to lead Long Island University to an 8-6 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University in Northeast Conference baseball action on Saturday afternoon at LIU Field. Each went 2-for-4 at the plate with a combined four runs and four RBI.

Junior starter Mike Maynard (Staten Island, N.Y.) went 7 2/3 innings, scattering nine hits and striking out four. Senior Pete Orsi (Brooklyn, N.Y.) entered in relief, recording his fifth save of the season. Junior Robbie Rowen (Rosendale, N.Y.) registered two RBI in the triumph.

The Blackbirds (8-19-1, 5-7 NEC) opened the scoring in the second. Freshman Anthony Amatucci (Toms River, N.J.) doubled into left center, plating Orlando Cruz (White Plains, N.Y.). Burke followed, sending an 0-2 pitch over the right field fence. His first home run of the season gave LIU a 3-0 advantage.

FDU plated two runs in the next frame on a pair of hits and one Blackbird error. Freshman Mark Morton singled to left to open the inning and was safe at second when a ball hit by Brian Luchsinger was mishandled on the force-out.

Following a fielder’s choice by Matt Maher, runners were on the corners for Matt Born. The senior doubled into left center to clear the bases and cut the deficit to 3-2.

Each team added a run in the next two innings before LIU erupted for four scores in the fifth. Burke commenced the fifth, blasting a double to left center. Junior Marcus Wynn (Plainfield, N.J.) proceeded to bunt and when FDU failed to cover first base, he reached with an infield single. Durkin followed by socking a two-run double into left field, extending his hitting streak to five games.

Sophomore second baseman Danny Pirillo (Marlboro, N.Y.) moved Durkin to third on a sacrifice bunt and the shortstop scored on a ground-out by Rowen.

The Knights scratched out two runs in the sixth and a run in the seventh to inch closer. Ben Cass homered to left and Jeff Vincent added an RBI on a single up the middle in the sixth. FDU loaded the bases in the eighth as Orsi induced lead-off hitter Chris Grabowski to ground out to second to end the threat.

LIU travels to Quinnipiac next Saturday, April 22 for a three-game series.