FORT MYERS, NJ (March 13, 2020)- FDU Baseball continued their great play in the sunshine state, defeating Bethel University on Friday afternoon, 3-2. With the win, their fifth in six games, the Devils improve to 5-4 on the season, while the Royals fall to 4-4.

RECAP
Sophomore starter DJ Gonnelli pitched well all game for FDU, holding the Royals offense to three scoreless innings to start the game. He gave up three hits in the process, and with two runners on and one out in the bottom of the third, forced a groundball double play from junior Matt Nodoro to seniors Billy Podurgiel and Kevin Smiegocki. The Devils would turn that momentum into the games first run, with junior Nate Peacock leading the fourth inning off with a walk. Smiegocki's sac bunt moved peacock to second, before Nodoro walked, putting two runners on. After a double steal from Peacock and Nodoro, Peacock would score on a wild pitch, giving FDU the 1-0 lead. Gonnelli faced four batters in the top of the fourth, keeping Bethel off the board.

The Royals would finally breakthrough in the bottom of the fifth inning, with a two out, two RBI double to grab a 2-1 advantage. Freshman Grant Goodlad and junior Matthew Godlewski combined for three scoreless innings, leaving the Devils down one, headed into the ninth. Junior AJ Yurista led the inning off reaching on an error, followed by a single for freshman pinch hitter, Arben Adili. After a fielder's choice made it first and third, with one out, junior Joe Moskowitz laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Then, with freshman Ryan Toomey at the dish, junior pinch runner Chris Ciancimino scored on a wild pitch, tying the game at two apiece. Toomey drove the next pitch to right field for a sac fly, scoring junior pinch runner Bobby Hefferon, giving FDU a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, Bethel put the winning run on first base, with one out, before senior closer John Franco shut the door for his third save of the year.

LEAD DEVIL
Gonnelli threw the ball great for FDU, finishing the day with five innings pitched, six hits, two runs and three strikeouts.

WINNING PITCHER
Godlewski collected the win for the Devils, going one inning and striking out one. He knows moves to 1-0 on the season. 

COACHES THOUGHTS
"Good teams find ways to win and we found a way today. It was a great ballgame; good pitching, defense, along with timely and clutch hitting. Our guys are embracing the adversity and taking advantage of the opportunity we have. Look forward to being back together on a ball field tomorrow." - Head Coach Jamie Quinn

NEXT UP
The Devils return to action on Saturday, March 14, when they play a doubleheader against Alfred State University starting at 9 a.m.