Auburndale, Fla. (March 14) – FDU-Florham baseball opened its trip to Florida and the 2023 RussMatt Invitational with a 21-7 setback to Minnesota Morris on Tuesday afternoon at the Lake Myrtle Complex.

Minnesota Morris struck for three runs in the top of the third before FDU-Florham scored its first runs of the game in the bottom of the frame. Jack Giovenco (Allentown, Pa.), who began the inning with a triple to right, scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Tyrus Chippendale (Middlesex, NJ).

The Devils added four in the bottom of the fourth highlighted by a two run single by Tyler McCulloch (Berkeley Heights, NJ) for a 5-3 edge midway through the contest. Minnesota-Morris regained the lead and never looked back as the Cougars tallied one run in the fifth and ten in the sixth en route to the 21-7 final.
 
Ryan Wilhelm earned the win (1-0) for Minnesota-Morris on 3.1 innings of relief that came along with four hits, three runs (two earned), two walks and three strikeouts. Jonathan Rodenhaver (Port Republic, Md.) got the start for the Devils but got a no decision as he lasted three innings and allowed two hits, three earned runs and struck out two. Silvio Piccinich (Westwood, NJ) was handed the loss (0-1) in just a third of an inning of work.

FDU SCORING SUMMARY

B3 | Jack Giovenco scored on a sacrifice fly (3-1, UMM)
B4 | Brody Donovan scored on a wild pitch (3-2, UMM)
B4 | Jack Giovenco scored on an infield single to shortstop (3-3)
B4 | Tyler McCulloch plated two on a single to left (5-3, FDU)
B7 | Matt Aber scored on an error (16-6, UMM)
B7 | Louis Andruzzi scored on a fielder's choice (16-7, UMM)
 
FDU-Florham will play Western New England University tomorrow morning at 9:00 am at the Lake Myrtle Complex in game two of the Devils spring trip in Florida.

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