MADISON, N.J. (March 31, 2018) - The FDU baseball team was knocked off by Manhattanville 14-5 and 19-8 Saturday afternoon.

The Devils drop to 5-11 over, and are now 1-4 in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom..

Game 1: Manhattanville 14, FDU-Florham 5
The Valiants started the game with a run in the first and two runs in the second off of senior Kenny Carrier. The Devils bats exploded for four runs in the bottom of the second, helping them take a 4-3 lead.

Senior Joseph Bonaccorso was hit with a pitch, and moved to second on a bunt single from Kevin Smiegocki. Junior Ian Havran and senior David Wilbur collected back-to-back RBI singles to get within one. After a walk loaded the bases, Nate Peacock hit a sacrifice fly and AJ Yurista reached on an error which scored a run.

Manhattanville took the lead for good in the third, scoring three runs. The big hit was a two-run double down the left-field line which was just inside the foul line. The Valiants tacked on three more in the fourth and five in the fifth to build a commanding 14-4 lead. The Devils worked three walks in the fifth, and sophomore Michael Tufano lofted a sac fly to center, closing out the scoring in game one. Juniors Chris Portelli and Joseph DeFeo each hurled a scoreless frame to prevent further runs.

Portelli fanned two in his inning of work, while sophomore Billy Podurgiel stole his first bag of the season.

Game 2: Manhattanville 19, FDU-Florham 8
The Devils found themselves in an early hole, trailing 9-0 after the top of the second. The team didn't give up, clawing for three tallies in the bottom of the second. Smiegocki, Havran and Yurista each had RBI knocks in the frame. 

After the Valiants added two in the third, FDU came back with three of their own. Senior Christopher Franco led off the third with a double, and was knocked home by Peacock. After Smiegocki walked to load the bags, freshman Matt Nodoro singled and Havran knocked a run in on a fielder's choice.

Manhattanville scored on a bases loaded walk in the fourth, but FDU once again answered the call. This time, it was Peacock who singled home Jack Paladino and Franco on hit to the outfield. The four deficit would be as close as the Devils would get, as the Valiants notched seven runs in the fifth, including a grand slam to build the final 19-8 margin.

Havran, Yurista, Franco and Peacock all had two hits, while Peacock knocked in three runs. Senior Jack Paladino scored three time, as Havran knocked in a pair from the leadoff spot.

FDU will play Centenary on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. with the game being played at Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J.