Madison, NJ (February 21) – The FDU-Florham baseball team opened its season with a 13-8 non-conference victory over New Jersey City University on Tuesday afternoon at Vincent J. and Lenda F. Naimoli Ballpark.
 
FDU-Florham (1-0) went ahead 6-1 after just one inning of play much in thanks to senior Jimmy Finnerty's (Augusta, NJ) three run home run to left center field. The bats for the Devils produced 13 runs on 11 hits as they scored in five of the eight frames, while the arms surrendered 13 hits and eight runs after a great start on the bump by first-year Nick Rizos (Wood Ridge, NJ).
 
Eight of the nine starters for FDU-Florham recorded at least one hit with Aaron Santos (Bridgewater, NJ) and Brody Donovan (South Plainfield, NJ) leading the way with two knocks apiece. Donovan crossed the plate four times, while Finnerty produced a career-high five RBI with his fourth homer of his FDU career.
 
In his first collegiate start, Rizos went four innings, allowed one earned run and struck out six in the no decision. The FDU-Florham bullpen surrendered seven of the eight runs this afternoon, but it was Eli Gonzalez (Brooklyn, NY), who picked up the win after he tossed the seventh and eighth innings.

NJCU (0-1) saw its top four batters in the lineup go 9-for-16 with five runs and six RBI. Paul Tannucilli took the loss on opening day for the Gothic Knights on three innings, eight hits, eight runs (four earned), two walks and two strikeouts.

FDU SCORING SUMMARY

B1 | Tyler McCulloch drove in FDU's first run on an RBI triple (1-1, Tied)
B1 | Aaron Santos plated Tyler McCulloch on a single up the middle (2-1, FDU)
B1 | Zach Ganca reached on a fielding error with runners on first and second (3-1, FDU)
B1 | Jimmy Finnerty hit a three run homer to left center (6-1, FDU)
B2 | Jack Giovenco scored on a sacrifice fly (7-1, FDU)
B3 | Brody Donovan scored on a squeeze bunt (8-1, FDU)
B6 | Vincent Ferrigno, Tyler McCulloch and Aaron Santos all scored on bases loaded walks (11-5, FDU)
B6 | Brody Donovan scored on a hit by pitch (12-5, FDU)
B8 | Brody Donovan scored on a sacrifice fly (13-8, FDU)

In its last four wins against New Jersey City University, FDU-Florham has scored at least ten runs per game (13-8 on 2/21/23, 16-2 on 3/29/22, 10-3 on 4/10/18 and 12-5 on 4/13/16).  

FDU-Florham will host the Madison Avenue Challenge this weekend beginning on Friday. Saint Elizabeth University will play Drew University on Friday, February 24 before FDU-Florham will play both schools in a doubleheader on Saturday, February 25.

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