MADISON, N.J. – Senior second baseman
Nick Meoli (East Meadow, N.Y.) launched two, momentum-swinging three-run home runs and the FDU-Florham baseball team earned two walk-off victories over Freedom Conference foe Delaware Valley University on Sunday afternoon.
The Devils (5-14, 4-5 Freedom) came from behind multiple times in the two-game sweep and received several clutch performances at the plate and on the mound. FDU-Florham claimed game one 4-3 before topping the Aggies (6-12, 0-7 Freedom) 10-9 in an 11-inning, game-two thriller.
Meoli's prowess at the dish resulted in a four-hit day with eight RBI and the two dingers. In addition, the senior second baseman knocked in all four runs in game one including the game-winning hit.
In the first game, the Devils struggled to generate offense over the first four frames against Delaware Valley starter
Mike Kearney. The Aggies' right-hander escaped several jams and held FDU-Florham to four hits over that stretch.
Meanwhile, FDU-Florham right-hander
Joe Hofmann (Colonia, N.J.) was battling to keep the Aggies off the board. The Aggies scratched across an unearned run in the first before scoring two more in the fourth on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.
Trailing 3-0 in the home half of the fifth, the Devils' offense sprung to life. Leadoff man
Frankie Tassielli (Florham Park, N.J.) scorched a double to right center and then advanced to third on a line drive single by
James Dertouzos (Waldwick, N.J.), which set the table for Meoli.
The Devils second baseman crushed a three-run blast to left-center field, which emphatically tied the game at 3-3. Hofmann kept the Aggies out of the run column in the sixth before giving way to
Steven Smiegocki (Hamilton, N.J.) in the seventh. Smiegocki struck out two in his one inning of work and set the stage for the first walk off.
Tassielli earned a free pass before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt and a fielder's choice. Two batters later, Meoli delivered the heroics with a seeing-eye single up the middle.
Hofmann took a no decision after six innings, seven hits, three runs (two earned), and seven strikeouts as Smiegocki picked up his first win of the season.
Kearney also did not factor in the decision but struck out nine Devils in his six innings of work before
Ben Lippincott came on in the seventh and was charged with the loss.
The nightcap saw 19 runs and 35 hits in the 11-inning marathon game that spanned nearly four hours. Meoli continued his red-hot day by plating the first run of the contest. The senior netted a first-inning run and gave the Devils a 1-0 lead by singling home Dertouzos.
The Aggies took the lead in the top of the third by scoring two runs on four hits including a booming triple by preseason D3baseball.com All-American
Kyle Wenger.Wenger helped spark another Aggies' rally in the fourth with an RBI-single as Delaware Valley added to its lead for a 5-1 edge.
Trailing 6-1 in the home fifth, the Devils received a pair of singles from
Dylan DiPolvere (Toms River, N.J.) and Tassielli before an Aggies' error led to a run. Now down by four, Meoli propelled the comeback with another three-run bomb, this one ripped over the left field fence to bring the Devils within one at 6-5.
Delaware Valley freshman
Austin Bregman knocked in Wenger with a single in the top of the sixth before the Devils tied the game in the home half of the frame. Junior backstop Kevin Sinclair (Fairfield, Conn.) and Vinny Bonaccoroso (Toms River, N.J.) each stroked RBI-singles to knot the game at 7-7.
That score stood until the ninth inning when the Aggies took another lead with a sacrifice fly. FDU-Florham scratched across the tying run in the home ninth and the game advanced deeper into extra innings.
With both teams working deep into their respective bullpens, the Aggies went ahead again when the Devils were unable to turn a double play, which allowed the go-ahead run to score.
However, the relentless Devils remained undeterred. A walk, followed by a
Joseph Bonaccorso (Scotch Plains, N.J.) single led to some reshuffling by the Aggies. Delaware Valley called in Wenger from center field to make his first appearance of the season and try to close the game out.
The Devils showed great plate discipline and after Tassielli was drilled with a fastball,
Alex Geramita (Old Tappan, N.J.) and Dertouzos each earned bases loaded walks, resulting in the 10-9 final.
Tassielli finished 3-for-6 with two runs, while Dertouzos went 2-for-6 with two runs and an RBI in the win.
Delaware Valley leadoff man
Kevin Crill went 4-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI, while Wenger had three hits, three runs and two RBI in the loss.
The Devils return to action for the third-straight day when they head to Center Valley, Pa. tomorrow, April 13 to take on DeSales University at 3:30 p.m.
