CENTER VALLEY, PA - The College at Florham Devils were defeated by DeSales, 11-7, in the first game of a key three game Freedom Conference series on Thursday afternoon.

With the loss, the Devils dropped to 14-10 (8-6 Freedom) while the Bulldogs improved to 14-13 (9-5 Freedom).

FDU got things going right away in the top of the first inning on a RBI single from sophomore outfielder Nick Core.  DeSales tied it at 1-1 in their half of the first before the Devils made it 2-1 in the second on a RBI single by junior third baseman John Pieper.  The Bulldogs came back again in their half and tied it at 2-2 but FDU took a 3-2 advantage in the fourth thanks to a solo home run from senior catcher Joe Meglio.  DeSales struck big in the bottom of the fifth inning, plating six to take an 8-3 lead.  FDU got three of those runs back in the top of the sixth on a RBI single by senior outfielder Dan Pregno and a two-run home run from senior outfielder Matt Oliveto.  The Bulldogs kept the pressure on though, scoring two in their half of the sixth to increase their lead to 10-6.  FDU pushed across one more in the eighth on a RBI single by Oliveto but DeSales again got it back in their half to cap the scoring at 11-7.

Oliveto finished the game 4-for-5 with a home run, two stolen bases, two runs scored and three RBI.  Meglio scored three runs in the game while Pieper, Pregno and junior shortstop Steve Seminerio each had two hits.  Junior pitcher Bobby Smith started and took the loss, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits in 4.1 innings.

The Devils return to action on Friday, April 22, 2011, at Delaware Valley beginning at 3:30 pm.