Box Score PURCHASE, NY - The College at Florham Devils held a 13-12 lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning but Manhattanville plated two runs to earn a 14-13 victory in Freedom Conference action on Friday afternoon.

With the loss, the Devils dropped to 9-12 (5-4 Freedom) while the Valiants improved to 9-10 (5-5 Freedom).

Manhattanville started the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first inning but FDU came back with four runs in the top of the second on a RBI single from senior catcher Nick Marcucci and a three-run Manhattanville error.  The Valiants got one back in the second and two in the third to grab a 5-4 advantage before the Devils tied it at 5-5 in the top of the fourth thanks to a RBI single by senior outfielder Matt Joiner.  The Valiants plated five more in their half of the fourth but FDU made it 10-6 in the top of the fifth on a RBI double by senior first baseman Ryan Fandel.  Manhattanville increased their lead to 12-6 in the bottom of the fifth but the Devils closed to 12-9 in the top of the sixth thanks to a two-run single by sophomore designated hitter Frank LaGuarina and a RBI fielder's choice from senior third baseman John Pieper.  FDU pulled to within one, 12-11, in the top of the eighth on a two-run single by Pieper before grabbing a 13-12 lead in the top of the ninth on a two-run single from junior outfielder Nick Core.  The Valiants came right back though, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth to pick up the win.

Joiner finished the game 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI while Marcucci went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI.  Pieper was 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI while LaGuarina went 2-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBI.  Senior pitcher FJ Lucchetti started the game and got a no-decision, throwing 3.2 innings and allowing 10 runs on 14 hits.  Senior pitcher Chris Laudati suffered the loss in relief, allowing two runs on three hits in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The two squads return to action on Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Madison for a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.