BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University's baseball team was outdueled by Eckerd on Friday afternoon, falling 2-1 in the series opener.  Andrew Virgili allowed two runs in 5.1 innings pitched while Jason Whelan pitched 3.2 of scoreless ball.  The Fighting Knights drop to 22-19 overall and 6-10 in the Sunshine State Conference

Unusual wildness plagued Virgili from the start as he walked or hit batters in each of the first three innings.  It was a wild pitch that gave Eckerd (16-23, 4-12 SSC) the early lead.  With runners on first and third the junior right-hander threw a pitch into the dirt which allowed Wess Hollins to easily trot home.

A two-out walk in the fourth proved to be the winning combination for the Tritons.  Down 0-2 in the count, Aaron Shapiro drew the walk then watched as Dan Capra and Stephen Pelc notched back-to-back hits to make it a 2-0 game.

Lynn looked as though it might have cracked the code of Joey Cuda, getting help from the Tritons' defense.  An error to open the frame followed by an infield single gave LU runners on first and second with nobody out.  A sacrifice bunt and slow ground ball in the infield cut the deficit in half, 2-1, and gave the Blue & White hope.

A late rally in the ninth, though, was cut short after a line drive in the outfield doubled-up the Knights at first.

Virgili logged three strikeouts and eight hits allowed in 5.1 innings.  Jason Whelan came on in the sixth with runners on the corners and shut the door on any thoughts of a big frame.  He held Eckerd to just one hit.  Joey Cuda picked up the victory after striking out eight and allowing four hits and one walk.

The Fighting Knights look to take two games from Eckerd with a noon double-header on Saturday.  Fans can follow the action live by logging on to www.LynnFightingKnights.com and selecting "Game Central."