NEWARK, NJ (March 1, 2020)- FDU Baseball traveled to Rutgers-Newark University on Sunday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader and improving to 1-3 overall. The Scarlett Raiders record goes to 3-5.

GAME 1: FDU 0, Rutgers-Newark 5
Junior Joseph Kastner started on the hill for FDU, keeping the Rutgers-Newark hitters at bay and throwing five scoreless innings. The Scarlett Raiders starter did the same, holding the Devils to only three hits through the first six innings of play. With freshman Anthony Molina-Porras on the hill in the bottom of the sixth, Rutgers-Newark had their biggest inning of the game, scoring five runs on five hits and taking a 5-0 lead. FDU was unable to scratch a run across in the game's final three innings, falling 5-0.

Sophomore Joe Moskowitz finished the game with two hits, while junior Matt Nodoro, sophomore Tyler McCulloch and freshman Ryan Toomey each recorded a hit apiece. 

GAME 2: FDU 5, Rutgers-Newark 3
The Scarlett Raiders jumped ahead early in game two, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning off of FDU starter, DJ Gonnelli. Gonnelli went four innings for the Devils, giving up five hits and one run. Rutgers-Newark broke through with another run in the bottom of the fifth to extend the lead to 2-0.

It was the top of the sixth inning where FDU got things rolling offensively. Nodoro led off with a bunt single, followed by a base hit from junior AJ Yurista. With two on and nobody out, McCulloch tripled to the left center gap, driving in both runs and tying the game at two.The Devils weren't done there, as Toomey stepped up and singled to right field for a RBI and FDU's first lead of the game, 3-2. After Toomey was picked off first base, Moskowitz singled with two outs to keep the inning alive. Junior Chris Ciancimino walked and junior Nate Peacock capitalized with an RBI single. On the next pitch, Peacock stole second base and Ciancimino scored on the throw, adding to the lead and making the score 5-2.

Senior John Franco entered the game in the bottom of the sixth inning and recorded the final six outs of the game for his first save in a Devils uniform. With his one inning of relief in the fifth inning, freshman Grant Goodlad picked up his first collegiate victory.

Peacock, Nodoro and Moskowitz each finished the game with two hits a piece while Yurista, McCulloch and Toomey each had one. 

LEAD DEVILS
GM 1: Kastner was great on the mound for FDU, going five innings and giving up no runs on five hits and striking out six.
GM 2: After the Devils grabbed their first lead of the day in the top of the sixth, Franco came in to shut the door. He recorded his first save on the season, facing eight batters over two innings of work, giving up two hits and one run.  

SWINGING IT
Nodoro finished the DH going 3-7 with a walk and a run scored. Moskowitz swung the bat well all day, going 4-6 at the dish with one run scored. McCulloch ended the afternoon with two hits and two RBI's, both coming on the game tying hit in the sixth inning of game two.

COACHES THOUGHTS
"Our starting pitching has been a bright spot. We need to do better and solidify our middle relief; If we can tighten things up on defense we will be alright. I was pleased with the way our guys didn't roll over in game 2 after getting shut out for 14 straight innings at the plate. We had good at bats, we just weren't getting things to go our way. Our hitters showed some character in the 6th with some clutch hitting. I like our guys and the direction we're going." - Head Coach Jamie Quinn

 UP NEXT
The Devils travel to Fort Myers, FL for seven games in seven days, starting with a doubleheader versus Lakeland University on Sunday, March 8 at 9 a.m.