Box Score PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – Behind four hits from senior left fielder Brittni Wurst (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North), the FDU-Florham softball team defeated St. Joseph's College (Long Island) 6-3 in the opening round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament on Wednesday evening.

Wurst's 4-for-4 day gives her 50 hits on the season, which ties the Devils single-season record held by Kelly Nover. Also reaching a milestone, was head coach Dante Fedeli, who with the win, picked up his 300th career victory. 

The Devils (18-16) advance to take on The Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday at Stockton College. FDU-Florham hosted the Ducks for a doubleheader back in March and dropped both games. 

On Wednesday, FDU-Florham claimed a 1-0 lead thanks to an RBI-single by senior shortstop Maggie Murphy (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central), which scored Wurst. In the home half of the second, the Golden Eagles took advantage of two errors and evened the score at 1-1.

In the top of the third, the Devils responded when sophomore Nikki Caruso (Madison, N.J./Madison) launched a solo blast, her fifth of the season, and put FDU-Florham ahead 2-1. Wurst followed with a single, then proceeded to steal second and third base. Murphy was next and she plated Wurst with a single and increased the Devils' lead to 3-1.

After two scoreless innings, the Devils offense tacked on to their lead in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Jaclyn Herrington (Huntington, N.Y./Huntington) smoked her first home run of the season, a two-run shot, which increased the Devils cushion. Sophomore catcher Wynne McCann (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown Area) knocked in another run with a single and FDU-Florham led 6-1.

The Golden Eagles threatened in the bottom of the seventh and brought the tying run to the plate, but FDU-Florham starter Amanda Finn (Massapequa, N.Y./Saint Dominic) escaped the jam and secured the victory for the Devils. With the win, Finn improved to 9-5 on the season and tossed seven innings, allowed two earned runs, while striking out two.

In addition to Wurst, Murphy and Herrington also totaled multiple-hit games and combined to go 4-for-7 with four RBI and a run scored in the victory. SJC's Nicole Reda went 3-for-3 to lead the Golden Eagles in the loss.

Next up for the Devils:
FDU-Florham takes on the Stevens Institute this Saturday, May 10^th at Stockton College. Start time is yet to be determined.