Auburndale, Fla.- The Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham baseball team scored four runs in the first inning and Brad Norris tossed five scoreless frames as the Devils cruised past the Massachussetts College of Liberal Arts Trailblazers 14-0 this afternoon at the RussMatt Invitational.
The game was stopped after seven innings due to the mercy rule. The contest kicked off a seven-game trip to Florida for the Devils (1-3), who earned their first victory of the season.
The Devils wasted little time getting on the scoreboard jumping on MCLA (1-2) starter Robert Jutras. A leadoff walk and a double put runners on second and third, setting the table for senior center fielder Frankie Tassielli. Tassielli promptly launched a three-run homer over the left field fence for a quick 3-0 lead.
Following another walk and a stolen base, FDU-Florham added another on an RBI-single off the bat of Vinnie Bonaccorso to make it 4-0.
A Bonaccorso sacrifice fly plated the Devils' fifth run in the third and a solo shot by Christopher Franco in the sixth stretched the cushion to 6-0.
The Trailblazers' best opportunity came in the home fourth when Billy Pulasky slapped a leadoff single and advanced to second on an error but the Devils' defense thwarted the threat by nabbing Pulasky at the plate after he attempted to score on a groundout.
An eight-run barrage in the sixth inning highlighted by a two-run double from Franco broke the game wide open and all but sealed the victory for FDU-Florham.
Junior infielder Nick DeAngelis led the Devils with a 3-for-4 showing. DeAngelis scored twice and knocked in a run, while Tassielli reach base all five times including three walks, while plating three runs and scoring three times. In total, the Devils collected 11 hits and took advantage of 12 free passes.
In his first collegiate outing, Brad Norris tossed a solid five innings, allowing four hits, striking out two to earn the win.
Jutras (0-1) absorbed the loss tossing four innings and allowing six hits and five earned runs. He walked five and struck out three.
The Devils are back in action tomorrow when they face off against Springfield College in a doubleheader beginning at 9 a.m.
