Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader at Fairleigh Dickinson

(Box Score - Game 1)
(Box Score - Game 2)

5/12/07 -- The Long Island University baseball team came from behind in a pair of games to take both ends of a Northeast Conference twin bill from Fairleigh Dickinson. The Blackbirds scored five runs in the top of the sixth to win game one, 9-5. In the second game, Long Island scored four times in its last at-bat to upend the Knights, 6-4.

Outfielder Frank DiMasi (Staten Island, N.Y.) has continued his hot hitting, going a combined 4-for-7 with four RBIs. The sophomore has hit .583 (7-for-12) during the FDU series, with a home run and eight RBIs. In seven games since May 4, DiMasi is hitting a lusty .520. Junior Dan Pirillo (Marlboro, N.Y.) also had a good day, going 6-for-7.

In the first game, Long Island (12-33, 6-16 NEC) trailed 5-3 heading into the top of the sixth. Second baseman Trey Bell (Georgetown, Del.) hit a one-out single to plate a run and later scored the tying run on a double by Pirillo. Two batters later, DiMasi drove in two of his runs with a double and came around to score when pitcher James Jones (Brooklyn, N.Y.) followed with a double, making the score 8-5. The Blackbirds tacked on another run in the seventh to come away with the 9-5 win.

Jones picked up his second win of the season, pitching five innings of seven-hit ball. He allowed five runs and one walk while striking out five.

Fairleigh Dickinson (8-39, 3-19) held a late lead again in the second game, with the Blackbirds coming to bat in the top of the seventh down 4-2. Pirillo led off with a single and moved to third when rightfielder Robby Rowen (Rosendale, N.Y.) stroked a single of his own. Designated hitter Orlando Cruz (White Plains, N.Y.) lofted a sacrifice fly to center to score Pirillo and get Long Island within a run. DiMasi came up next and singled up the middle, moving Rowen to third.

After DiMasi stole second, Jones tied the game with a single through the right side. Shortstop Greg DeSantis (Bridgewater, N.J.) continued the hit parade with a single of his own to score DiMasi and give the Blackbirds their first lead of the game. An out and a double steal later, Long Island scored its fourth run of the frame when catcher Chris Kievit (Wayne, N.J.) struck out, but FDU’s catcher dropped the ball and threw it away trying to get Kievit at first.

Rowen moved from rightfield to pitcher in the bottom of the seventh to close out the game and earn his first save. Lefthander Kenny Cedel (Staten Island, N.Y.) won his second contest of the year with six solid innings. He allowed four runs on 10 hits and did not allow a walk. Cedel fanned six batters.

The teams will wrap up their four-game series on Sunday, May 13 at noon.