MADISON, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham baseball team dropped a MAC Freedom game to the Misericordia University Cougars 18-3 on Friday afternoon.

Sophomores Christopher Franco and Joseph Bonaccorso each notched a pair of hits and batted 2-for-3 for the Devils (7-12-1, 2-6 MAC Freedom) in the loss to the Cougars (15-7, 6-2 MAC Freedom).

Senior Andrew Hille got the start for FDU-Florham and he made quick work of the Misericordia lineup in the top half of the first.

When the Devils came up to bat, Kevin Sinclair drew a base on balls and later came around to score on a Bryan Pieschel two-out RBI single to center field.

FDU-Florham had the one-run advantage but the Cougars answered in the following inning after D.J. Navoczynski led things off with a single and later scored on a Jeremy DeCotiis RBI single up the middle.

The Cougars grabbed hold of the lead in the third after plating six runs in the inning.

In the bottom half of the third, senior Frankie Tassielli hit a booming double to deep center and two batters later he scored on a Franco RBI single through the left side.

The lead grew to 10 runs after the Cougars put together another strong inning, scoring five runs. FDU-Florham began to chip away though and the bases were loaded following back-to-back hits from Joseph Bonaccorso and Josh DellaPietro and a walk by Sinclair.

Vinnie Bonaccorso stepped into the batter's box with the bases full and he reared back and sent the ball down the third base side and was safe at first for an RBI single to cut the deficit to nine.

Misericordia was able to add six more runs in the fifth and the Cougars' pitching staff was able to successfully get through the rest of the game without allowing another run.

The Devils will return to action on Sunday, April 9 for a conference road doubleheader against the Cougars in Dallas, Pa. The first game is slated for 1 p.m.