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BROOKLINE, Mass. – Despite receiving a fourth straight quality start out of redshirt-senior Mike Fitzgerald, the Northeastern baseball team had trouble generating enough run support from its eight hits off Delaware's Brandon Walter as the Huskies lost a 2-1 pitcher's duel on Friday during their CAA home opener at Friedman Diamond.
 
Fitzgerald struck out seven and scattered five hits during his six innings on the hill, eclipsing 110 pitches for the second time during his last two appearances. The NU captain continued to throw heat well into the late stages of his outing, closing out his afternoon with three strikeouts during the top of the sixth inning.
 
Walter fanned 11 batters during his eight-inning effort, facing one batter during the top of the ninth before handing the reigns over to closer Ron Marinaccio, who struck out the side en route to collecting his second save of the year.
 
Northeastern (11-16, 4-3 CAA) jumped out to a 1-0 lead during the bottom of the third inning, receiving a key extra-base hit from Mason Koppens, who pummeled a leadoff triple to the wall in center field. Two batters later, Cam Hanley slapped a ground ball to first base that was fielded deep enough to score Koppens from third, driving in the Huskies' lone run of the game.
 
Delaware (16-12, 4-3 CAA) drew level with Northeastern during the next half-inning as Diaz Nardo came through with a two-out RBI single, scoring Nick Patten from second base.
 
The Blue Hens had to wait until Fitzgerald's day had ended before plating the go-ahead run off Kyle Murphy during the top of the seventh. James Meeker opened the inning with a single to right field and was bunted into scoring position by Delaware's leadoff man, Kevin Mohollen. Meeker proceeded to take third base upon Murphy's pickoff throw traveling into the outfield and ultimately scored during the next at-bat on Nick Tierno's RBI single to right field.
 
Charlie McConnell went three-for-four to lead the Huskies in the batter's box, keeping two of his hits within the infield. Max Burt recorded his 12th multi-hit game of the 2017 season and represented the tying run during the bottom of the ninth inning, despite being stranded at first base.
 
UP NEXT
 
Northeastern and Delaware will resume their series on Saturday, April 8, at 1 p.m. The first 200 fans in attendance at Friedman Diamond will receive a free Northeastern baseball plastic Mason jar.