TEANECK, N.J. (April 10, 2019) – Senior Brad Norris hurled 6 2/3 innings of shutout relief to propel the FDU-Florham baseball team to an 8-2 victory over Purchase College Wednesday afternoon.

FDU improves to 11-16 overall, as Purchase falls to 12-11.

The visiting Panthers collected two of their five hits in the game during the first inning off of freshman Louis Scappaticcio. The rookie picked off the first runner off of first base, before escaping the inning with the unconventional 7-3 double play. On a hit-and-run, sophomore Nate Peacock caught a fly ball before firing to senior Kevin Smiegocki to beat the runner and complete the double-play.

Both teams put runners on in the second but couldn't score before the Panthers scored twice in the third. The visitors took advantage of five walks in the inning to score their runs, but Norris ended the frame with a strikeout and comebacker to the mound.

FDU battled back, scoring four times in the bottom half of the inning. Junior Billy Podurgiel and sophomore Matt Nodoro led off with walks before each swiped a base, as Peacock also earned a free pass to load the bases. Junior Michael Tufano hit into a double-play, but a run was able to cross the plate. Sophomore AJ Yurista and Smiegocki stroked consecutive doubles to bring in two additional runs before senior Ian Havran tripled into left-center to plate Smiegocki.

Staked to the 4-2 lead, Norris allowed just three baserunners heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. The Devils helped out Norris, tacking on an insurance run tally in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by the sophomore Nodoro. 

FDU closed out their scoring with three tallies in the bottom of the eighth. Sophomore Joe Moskowitz, Podurgiel and Nodoro all walked to load the bases before a Peacock fielder's choice allowed Moskowitz to touch home. After Peacock stole second, Tufano lunged out and dropped a double down the right-field line which scored both Podurgiel and Peacock. Norris set the Panthers down in order in the top of the ninth, ending with an unassisted groundout to Smiegocki.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
•    Norris' 6 2/3 innings of relief were the most by a Devils reliever this season, surpassing the six by junior Arjun Alwis last week against John Jay. The senior also struck out six batters, just one off his career high.
•    Led by three from Peacock, the Devils swiped a season-high eight bases.
•    The Devils drew 13 free-passes, one off of their season-high of 14 set against Finlandia. Nodoro, Moskowitz, and Podurgiel each walked three times.

UP NEXT
The Devils resume conference play tomorrow, heading to Center Valley, Pa. to take on DeSales University. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.