FLEMINGTON, N.J. (March 4, 2018) - The FDU baseball fell in both ends of a doubleheader against Purchase College on Sunday afternoon at Diamond Nation.

The Devils fell to 0-3 with the setbacks, while Purchase improved to 5-3.

GAME 1: Purchase 11, FDU 0
The Devils got a little bit of lick in the top of the first inning of game one, as a run was taken off the board. With a man on first, the next batter stroked a double, but as the runner went to score, failed to touch first base and was called out on an appeal. The Panthers redeemed themselves in the second, putting up 10 runs on six hits against starter Kenny Carrier.

Sophomore Steven Riley allowed a three-run home run to the first batter he faced, but settled down afterwards. Riley allowed just one additional runner over the next 3 1/3 innings, fanning four. FDU put runners on base in the third and fourth innings, but Purchase was able to turn a pair of double-plays to prevent runs from scoring. 

Purchase tacked on an unearned tally in the top of the seventh, but the Devils attempted to make a comeabck. Freshman AJ Yurista doubled while senior Joseph Bonaccorso singled. A walk to senior David Wilbur loaded the bases, but the Panther hurler set the next three down in order to end the game.

Yurista was a perfect 3-for-3 in the game, while seniors Reynaldo Diaz and Garrett Ruoff each reached base. 

GAME 2: Purchase 9, FDU 5
FDU got on the board first in game two, notching a run in their first at bat. Freshman Nate Peacock singled and swiped second to lead off the game, and moved to third on a groundout. Senior Christopher Franco came up and dumped a single into center, plating the rookie Peacock.

Sophomore Christian Capuano took the mound in his first collegiate start and striking out seven in the first three innings. The Devils doubled their lead in the second as Bonaccorso singled right back through the box with one man out. Junior Kevin Smiegocki came up two batters later and tripled into the gap in right center, scoring Bonaccorso from first.

The Panthers touched Capuano for two unearned runs in the fourth before scoring three in the fifth. Capuano finished his afternoon striking out nine in four innings, allowing four hits and four runs (two earned). FDU nipped away at the deficit in the sixth, as Franco and senior Ben Dranow led off with singles. Classmate Jack Paladino hit a potential double-play ball, but the throw in first was errant, allowing Franco to scoot home.

After the Panthers scored two in the visitors seventh inning, FDU had one final at bat to try and salvage the tie. Yurista stayed hot, tripling to center field after the fielder lost the ball in the sun. Peacock worked a walk, and Diaz drilled a single to right to score Yurista. Franco had a run scoring ground out to cut the lead to 9-5, but the Devils could not get any closer.

Franco had a pair of hits, while Peacock swiped a base and touched home twice in his collegiate debut. Freshman Jeremy Bello struck out two in his two innings of work, allowing one run on three hits.

FDU will have its official home-opener on Tuesday, hosting Cairn University at 3 p.m.