Madison, NJ (February 26) – In the Madison Avenue Challenge, senior Jimmy Finnerty (Augusta, NJ) knocked out a walk off two run homer to spark a 15-14 come from behind victory for the FDU-Florham baseball team against Saint Elizabeth University in today's opener, but was upended in the second match of the day against Drew University, 20-2.
 
vs. Saint Elizabeth
 
The Devils (2-1) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first two frames before the Eagles exploded for a seven run top of the third for a 7-2 edge. Saint Elizabeth (0-2) climbed up to a 9-2 advantage after runs in the tops of the fourth and sixth innings before a five run bottom of the sixth helped FDU cut the lead to a one run difference.
 
FDU-Florham tied the contest in the bottom of the seventh inning before the Eagles swung its bats for five runs in the top of the eighth inning. With their backs against the wall, the Devils surged for six runs in bottom of the ninth inning and walked off the contest on Finnerty's ball over the fence to take the victory over their cross-street rival.
 
Tyrus Chippendale (Middlesex, NJ) led the way for the Devils in RBI with a career-high four during the Monday morning matchup. Vincent Ferrigno (Marlboro, NJ) batted in three runs of his own while Dylan Hode (Manalapan, NJ) and Jack Giovenco (Allentown, Pa) each crossed home plate three times.
 
Graduate student Tyler McCulluch (Berkeley Heights, NJ) reached a milestone achievement as his RBI single in the bottom of the sixth was the 100th hit of his FDU baseball career.
 
Junior Ben Cohen (Malibu, Calif.) got his first start of the year, pitching two innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out four batters but Jake Stollar (Flemington, NJ) earned the victory on the mound in his first career appearance for the Devils, coming in relief in the top of the ninth and allowing only one hit and striking out two batters.

Saint Elizabeth was headlined by Jacob Pipersic who batted 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. Josh Koller suffered the defeat in relief for the Eagles after allowing the walk-off homer to Finnerty.

FDU SCORING SUMMARY

B1 | Aaron Santos plated Jack Giovenco on an RBI single (1-0, FDU)
B2 | Dylan Hode scored on groundout  (2-0, FDU)
B2 | Tyrus Chippendale plated Mark Geist on a single (3-0, FDU)
B6 |  Dylan Hode scored on a dropped fly ball to right (9-4, SEU)
B6 | Tyrus Chippendale plated Mark Geist on an RBI single to center (9-5 SEU)
B6 | Tyler McCulloch brought home Sean Wodell on an RBI single (9-6, SEU)
B6 |  Jack Giovenco scored on a sacrifice fly (9-7, SEU)
B6 | Brody Donovan plated Tyrus Chippendale on an RBI single (9-8, SEU)
B7 | Dylan Hode scored on an RBI single to left (9-9)
B9 | Tyrus Chippendale roped a two run double to right field (14-11, SEU)
B9 | Vincent Ferrigno lined a two run double to right center (14-13, SEU)
B9 | Jimmy Finnerty hit a two run walk off home run to left (15-14, FDU)

The Devils extended its win streak against the Eagles to four after today's matchup

vs. Drew
The Rangers (4-1) jumped out to a 6-0 lead through the top of the sixth inning before Finnerty drove in the first run for the Devils on an RBI double that brought Brody Donovan (South Plainfield, NJ) across home plate. Drew added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh before the Devils scored a run as Chippendale brought Sean Wodell (Freehold, NJ) home on an RBI single to center field. The Rangers closed out the game scoring 11 unanswered runs to seal the victory.

Sebastian Alverio (Belleville, NJ) was credited with the loss in his first collegiate start after he pitched four innings, allowed four earned runs but struck out five batters.

Drew was led by John Furch who batted in four runs followed by William Coleman who collected three RBI and two doubles. Kenny Yonker scored his second win of the season on the mound for the Rangers, pitching six innings and allowing only one run while striking out four batters.

FDU SCORING SUMMARY

B6 | Jimmy Finnerty plated Brody Donovan on a double to right center (6-1, Drew)
B7 | Tyrus Chippendale hit an RBI single (8-2, Drew)

FDU-Florham will hit the road for the first time this season on Tuesday, February 28, for a non-conference tilt with Kean. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm.

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