DANBURY, Conn. (May 1, 2018) - The FDU baseball team was knocked off by Western Connecticut State 14-8 Tuesday afternoon.

The Devils fell to 10-27, while Western Connecticut improved to 13-19.

Seniors Reynaldo Diaz and Christopher Franco knocked two-out singles in the top of the first, but were unable to push a run across. The Colonials stroked three straight hits in their first at bat, before a two-out, two-run single increased the lead to 3-0.

The Devils answered back with a pair of their own in the second. Senior David Wilbur led off with a double before Brendan McGregor was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Michael Tufano singled to load the bases before freshman Matt Nodoro grounded into a double play to score a run. Freshman Nate Peacock reached on an infield hit to score another run.

Senior Walter Pennett loaded the bases in the second but picked a runner off to end the inning. FDU tied the game in the third, as Franco delivered his fifth home run of the season, a deep drive to left.

FDU took their first lead of the afternoon, as a walk to Diaz loaded the bases after singles by Peacock and Joe Moskowitz. Franco came up big again, hitting a two-run double to left center. The lead of was short-lived, as the hosts tacked on two unearned runs in the fourth after the leadoff hitter reached on an error.

Wlibur gave the Devils their final lead of the day, stroking his first career home run down the left field line. The dinger put the Devils back on top 6-5. Western Connecticut tacked a pair of runs in each of the fifth and sixth stanzas, before capping off their day with a five spot in the seventh.

With the bases loaded in the eighth, freshman Michael Lesler drove in a run with a fielder's choice, while Tufano contributed a run-scoring groundout in the ninth. The Devils were unable to get any closer, as a groundout ended the game.

Franco concluded his career with a 4-for-5 day at the dish, knocking in three runs. Wilbur also closed out his career with two runs scored in a multi-hit day.