Box Score WEST LAKE, Pa. – The FDU-Florham baseball team's Freedom Conference Tournament came to a heartbreaking conclusion on Saturday afternoon, as the DeSales University Bulldogs rallied from three runs down in the ninth to tie the game, before ultimately walking off with a 5-4 victory in extra innings.

The Devils (21-14) were one out away from advancing in the tournament but the Bulldogs (26-14) rallied with three runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 4-4.

This game was a pitcher's duel through the first five frames. FDU-Florham right-hander Andrew Hille (Edison, N.J./St. Joseph's) was brilliant and held the Bulldogs without a hit into the seventh inning. Hille went seven innings, allowed two hits, one run, while striking out four and earned a no decision.

FDU-Florham centerfielder Frankie Tassielli (Florham Park, N.J./Hanover Park) broke a 0-0 tie with a slicing double down the left field line, which plated Austin Tomaszewicz (Old Bridge, N.J./St. Joseph's).

Two batters later, senior shortstop Brandan Adams (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) knocked in a run with a single to left center and the Devils added another run on a Bulldogs' error. DeSales managed to scratch across a run against Hille in the seventh and cut FDU-Florham's lead to 3-1.

In the top of the eighth, senior first baseman Frank LaGuarina (Somerset, N.J./Immaculata) crushed a double nearly 400 feet off of the fence in left centerfield, which scored Devils catcher Alex Geramita (Old Tappan, N.J./Don Bosco Prep).

Devils closer Bobby Bray (Fairfax, Va./Robinson) came on in the bottom of the ninth looking for his seventh save of the season. After retiring the first two batters, Bray ran into trouble and after two singles, DeSales' pinch hitter Mike Kacergis delivered a two-run double, which cut the Devils' lead to 4-3. The Bulldogs tied the game with a run-scoring single but Bray escaped and the game advanced to extra innings.

With two outs in the bottom of the 11^th inning, DeSales freshman infielder Tyler Sweeney hit a soft liner to left. Devils left fielder James Dertouzos (Waldwick, N.J./Waldwick) made an outstanding effort but his diving attempt came up short. With Dertouzous on the ground, Sweeney managed to round the bases and cross the plate with the game-winning run.

Geramita, Adams, and Tomaszewicz each totaled two hits in the game, while Geramita added two runs in the loss.

Next up for the Devils:
FDU-Florham has a regular season game scheduled against New Jersey City University this Tuesday, May 6^th at 3:30 p.m.