MADISON, N.J. (March 6, 2018) - The FDU baseball team dropped a 9-4 decision to Cairn University Tuesday afternoon.

The Highlanders moved to 4-1, while FDU fell to 0-4.

Cairn scored three times in the first and two in the second off Devils starter Brad Norris. Norris went 4 2/3, allowing 10 hits for seven runs (six earned) while striking out five.

The Devils battled back in the home half of the second. Senior Joseph Bonaccorso hit a one-out single. The senior came around to score on a hit by Jack Paladino, who also scored thanks to a pair of Highlander errors.

FDU closed the gap even closer in the both, putting runners on first and third with one out. Seniors Reynaldo Diaz and Christopher Franco hit back-to-back run scoring doubles, cutting the deficit to 5-4. That was as close as they could get, as the next two hitters were retired.

The Highlanders tacked on a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, and the Devils were unable to get any closer. FDU loaded the bases in the seventh inning, but a strikeout ended the comeback hopes.

Diaz, Franco and Bonaccorso each recorded two hits, as Diaz notched a pair of doubles. Freshman Rob McGuinness made his collegiate debut, fanning two in an inning of work.

FDU heads south to Auburndale, Fla. opening with Keene State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.