TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University baseball team ratcheted up the power in the opening two games of its first home weekend of the year, hitting a combined six home runs in the doubleheader split vs. Fairleigh Dickinson, taking game one 9-6 before falling in game two 12-5.
Towson (4-11) hit five of its home runs in game one, scoring six runs combined in the seventh and eighth innings to come back and win vs. FDU (3-11). The Tigers had an early 5-1 advantage over FDU in game two after the first pair of innings, but the Knights scored 11 unanswered to force the split.
The Tigers earned a historic moment in the bottom of the seventh of game one with back-to-back-to-back home runs by
Danny Becerra,
Burke Camper and
Jordan Peyton in succession.
Key Stats:
- Danny Becerra hit two home runs in the first game, combining to go 3-for-6 with four runs and four RBI in the twinbill. James Moses hit his home run in the second game, going 4-for-8 combined with a double, a run and two RBI.
- On the mound, Nate Nabholz had a no-decision with 4.1 innings in game one, having five runs, only four earned and zero in the first three innings, and five strikeouts. Relief pitcher Jake Pecilunas (1-1) earned the victory with 1.1 innings scoreless in relief. For game two, starter Teddy Blumenauer also had a no-decision, going two innings with three runs, two earned, and a trio of strikeouts. The loss went to relief pitcher Nick Janowicz (0-1), who had four runs, just two earned, charged in 2.1 innings with a pair of strikeouts.
- For FDU, Justin Sierra combined to hit 5-for-10 with a home run, three runs and six RBI. Game one starter Nick Evangelista did not decision despite 6.2 innings, six runs and six strikeouts while Brendan Medoro (1-2) got the loss, having three unearned runs in the last 1.1 innings pitched. Joey Kosowsky had a no-decision as the game two starter, going four innings with five runs and as many strikeouts. In relief, Jake Simon (1-1) notched the victory on five scoreless innings, striking out five.
How It Happened (Game 1):
- Towson got on the board first in the bottom of the second with its first home run. Danny Becerra belted a ball over the center field wall with Nolan Young on base for a two-run home run and a 2-0 Towson lead. The power kept coming as Chandler Castleberry hit a homer on a line drive to left in the third to push Towson to 3-0.
- After FDU got on the board with an RBI ground out in the fourth, the Knights took the lead in the fifth, piecing together two doubles, a single and a Justin Sierra three-run home run to go ahead 5-3.
- In the bottom of the seventh with two outs and nobody on, Towson achieved its back-to-back-to-back homers from Danny Becerra, Burke Camper and Jordan Peyton, all solo home runs, to go ahead 6-5.
- FDU tied the game in the top of the eighth on a David Bordieri Jr. RBI double. Towson picked up second and third with two away in the bottom half of the frame. Jacob Terao found the left-center gap on a fly ball for a two-run triple to get Towson back in front. Peyton followed with a single to bring Terao home and give Towson the 9-6 lead. Jake Pecilunas pitched a scoreless ninth to finish the game for a 9-6 Tigers win.
How It Happened (Game 2):
- Towson's hot bats continued into the second game: in the first inning, Chandler Castleberry drew a walk, then James Moses hit a two-run home run into the opposing bullpen for a 2-0 Tiger advantage.
- FDU got a run in the top of the second, then Towson countered in a big way. The Tigers loaded the bases on free passes with one out. Castleberry hit a frozen rope to center for a two-run single. Two batters later, the pitcher threw the ball away on a pick off attempt, allowing Jordan Peyton to score and make it 5-1 Towson.
- FDU tied the game with two runs in each the third and fourth, capped by a TJ Werner two-run home run, to put the score at 5-5.
- In the top of the sixth, FDU used three singles, a throwing error and a sacrifice fly to piece together three runs and take an 8-5 lead.
- Towson got runners on in the sixth and seventh but could not score. FDU continued to add runs, plating four more for a 12-5 advantage.
- The Tigers got two more runners on in the final inning but stranded them. FDU took the win 12-5.
Inside the Numbers:
- Five home runs are the most amount for Towson in a game this season. It is the first five-home run game since Towson hit five vs. Northeastern on May 18, 2019.
- Danny Becerra has the second two-home run game of the season for the Tigers. Elijah Dickerson hit two home runs in a win vs. Southern on Feb. 26.
- Andrew Barbour earned a hit in his first-ever Towson at bat in game two, lining a single to right.
Next Game:
Towson is scheduled to finish the series vs. FDU tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Schuerholz Park.
- TowsonTigers.com –