DOYLESTOWN, PA (April 13, 2021)- FDU Baseball traveled to Delaware Valley University on Tuesday afternoon to finish the final two games of a four-game series, sweeping the DH, 8-7 and 7-4. With the series sweep, the Devils improve to 7-13 on the season.
 
Game 1- 8-7, W
Junior DJ Gonnelli started on the hill for the FDU.
 
The Devils jumped on the board early, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning and two runs in the top of the second. In the first, Senior Matt Nodoro collected an RBI single, senior AJ Yurista an RBI groundout and a run scored on a throwing error. Senior Michael Tufano started off in the second with an RBI single followed by Nodoro's second RBI of the game, a double to center field. Del Val fought back, adding three runs in the bottom of the second and third, tying the game at 5-5.
 
After a FDU pitching changed brought first-year Sean Wodell to the hill, the Aggies broke through with two runs in the fourth to take the lead, 7-5. First-year Alex Morrissey took the ball for the Devils and kept it 7-5 headed into the top of the final frame. FDU rallied in the last half to tie the game at seven. Yurista reached on an error, senior Bobby Hefferon ripped a single and stole second base, making it second and third with two outs. Sophomore Chris Kubas walked on a wild pitch, scoring senior pinch runner Chris Ciancimino. First-year Tyrus Chippendale beat out an infield single to score Hefferon and tie the game.
 
Sophomore Elijah Gonzalez entered on the hill for FDU, stranding a runner thanks to a Kubas caught stealing to end the seventh. The Devils bats got hot again, starting with a single from Tufano and a fielder's choice from Nodoro. After a junior Tommy Moore sac fly and Nodoro stolen base, Ciancimino walked to the dish with two runners on and one out. Tufano scored on a groundball to third to give FDU the one run advantage, 8-7. Gonzalez shut the door with a runner on third in the eighth to seal the victory.
 
Chippendale, Nodoro and Tufano all collected two hits in the contest, with Nodoro leading the way with two RBI's. Gonzalez collected the win for FDU, the first of his career.
 
Game 2- 7-4, W
Sophomore Anthony Molina took the ball in game two for FDU.
 
Each starting pitcher put up zeros in the first 2 innings of play, with FDU striking first in the top of the third inning. Chippendale smacked an RBI double, senior Nate Peacock an RBI single and Nodoro an RBI double, giving the Devils a 3-0 lead. Del Val battled back in the bottom of the third and fourth, tying the game at three apiece. With two outs in the top of the fifth, Tufano deposited a ball over the left field fence to give FDU the lead again, 4-3. After the Aggies tied it the bottom of the sixth, and no one could break through in the seventh, the game went extras, again. FDU wasted no time getting on the board, scoring three runs in the top of the eighth off the bats of Gonnelli, with an RBI double and Ciancimino and Chippendale with RBI singles. Reigning MAC Freedom Pitcher of the Week, senior Christian Capuano came in to shut the door for his first career save and a Devils sweep.
 
Chippendale, Gonnelli and Moore collected two hits apiece. On the day, the first-year shortstop collected four hits. Six different Devils collected an RBI, led by Chippendale with two, followed by Ciancimino, Gonnelli, Nodoro, Tufano and Peacock with one apiece.
 
The winning pitcher in game two was Yurista who pitched a 1, 2, 3 seventh inning.
 
From Coach
"It was a pleasure to watch our dudes play all out for each other. The series was a grind, but we grew as a team and picked each other up. I am extremely proud of them and am looking forward to the joy they will have on Saturday, being able to play home at Vincent J. & Lenda F. Naimoli Ballpark." - Head Coach Jamie Quinn
 
Next Up
The Devils come home for the first time in three years when they host Stevens Tech on Saturday, April 17, with a doubleheader starting at 11 am. This will be the opening of the brand-new Vincent J. and Lenda F. Naimoli Ballpark on the campus of FDU Florham.