NEW HAMBURG, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Wagner Seahawks erupted for nine runs across the fourth and fifth innings to overcome an early deficit and defeat the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 13-6 in a Northeast Conference baseball game Saturday at Heritage Financial Park.

The victory, played under the lights after an afternoon start, snapped a two-game skid for the Seahawks and avenged a lopsided loss to the Knights just one day prior.

Wagner improved to 2-9 overall, while Fairleigh Dickinson fell to 3-6.

The game’s pivotal shift came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Trailing 8-6 after Fairleigh Dickinson right fielder Hunter Ray launched a three-run homer in the top of the frame, the Seahawks responded decisively. They sent 10 batters to the plate, capitalizing on walks and timely hitting to score five runs and break the game open.

The inning was capped by a bases-clearing, three-run double from Wagner second baseman Dylan Immel, who drove the ball to the outfield and was thrown out attempting to stretch it into a triple. That hit pushed the Wagner lead to 13-6 and effectively sealed the outcome. Immel finished the day with two doubles and a single, driving in five runs.

Wagner’s offensive outburst began an inning earlier, erasing a 6-4 Fairleigh Dickinson lead. In the fourth, the Seahawks scored four times, highlighted by an RBI double from Diego Tavarez and a sacrifice fly from Nicholas Mazzotta. Matt Sutera and Immel added run-scoring singles in the inning, giving Wagner an 8-6 advantage it would not relinquish.

The Knights had built their early lead without a hit, scoring six runs in the first inning on a combination of walks, hit batters and Wagner defensive miscues. Wagner starter Joseph Steventon settled in after the rocky first, ultimately earning the win. He worked six innings, allowing six runs – only three earned – on eight hits while striking out four.

Fairleigh Dickinson’s early command of the game unraveled in the middle innings. Starter John Caddell was charged with the loss after relieving in the fifth and failing to stem the Wagner rally. Knights pitchers issued nine walks in the game, several of which came around to score.

Ray was a bright spot for Fairleigh Dickinson, going 3-for-5 with the three-run homer and two runs scored. Catcher Nick Quagliato added three hits, including a triple, and scored a run.

For Wagner, Tavarez reached base four times with a single, double and two walks, scoring three runs. Mazzotta drove in three runs, while Sutera had two hits and two RBIs.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 4-1 Knights victory, though the service’s ELO rating system had given Wagner a 64.5% probability to win.

The two teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Heritage Financial Park.