QUAKERTOWN, PA - The top-seeded Misericordia Cougars used a five-run fifth inning to break open a 3-2 game on their way to a 9-3 victory over the third-seeded College at Florham Devils in the winner-take-all Championship Game of the Freedom Conference Tournament on Monday evening.

With the loss, the Devils finished their season with a record of 22-14 while the Cougars improved to 27-14 and will now go on to play in the NCAA Tournament.

Misericordia got on the board right awa with two runs in the bottom of the first inning before FDU cut it to 2-1 in the top of third on a RBI single from senior outfielder Matt Oliveto.  The Cougars grabbed a 3-1 lead in the fourth but FDU closed to 3-2 in the top of the fifth thanks to a RBI sacrifice fly by sophomore outfielder Nick Core.  The Cougars increased their lead to 8-2 with a five-run bottom of the fifth inning with the big blow coming on a bases-clearing, three-run double with two outs in the inning.  FDU plated a run in the sixth to make it 8-3 on a RBI sacrifice fly by junior shortstop Steve Seminerio but the Cougars got that run back in the seventh and their bullpen was able to shut down FDU the rest of the way to earn the Freedom crown.

Seminerio finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI while junior pitcher Bobby Smith suffered the loss on the mound, allowing eight runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out five in 4.2 innings.