Madison, NJ. (April 11) – The FDU-Florham baseball team (7-22, 4-12 MAC FREE) had advantages throughout two games against MAC Freedom opponent Delaware Valley, but ultimately came up short in its conference doubleheader against the Aggies, 9-8 in game one and 6-2 in game two on Friday afternoon.
 
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning where a two-RBI double to centerfield Jimmy Finnerty (Augusta, NJ) sparked a four-run inning for the Devils to take the lead. The Aggies, however, answered right back with a big inning of their own, scoring six in top of the fifth inning to hold a 6-4 edge.

Delaware Valley extended its lead in the top of the sixth with three more runs to hold a 9-4 lead that they took heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Devils had two early outs in the final inning but were able to create a final push. Zach Ganca (Merrick, NY) drove in Gabe Francisco (Rutherford, NJ) on an RBI double to right field, bases-loaded RBI singles from Finnerty and Chris Kubas (New Providence, NJ) as well as a bases-loaded walk cut the lead to just 9-8. With Francisco back up to bat for the second time that half inning, He was almost able to drive in the game-tying run on a grounder to third but was just finger tips away touching the bag and the Aggies were able to get the final out to hold off FDU in game one.

Nick Rizos (Wood Ridge, NJ) suffered the defeat on the mound. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and struck out three batters. Dalton Moore notched the win for the Aggies. He pitched four innings and allowed three earned runs as well as struck out two batters.

FDU SCORING SUMMARY
B4 | Jimmy Finnerty plated Tyler McCulloch and Tyrus Chippendale on a two-RBI double to center field (2-0, FDU)
B4 | Jack Giovenco sacrifice fly, Finnerty scored (3-0, FDU)
B4 | Ferrigno reached on a fielding error by ss, Kubas scored (4-0, FDU)
B7 | Zach Ganca RBI double to right field plated Gabe Francisco (5-9, Del Val)
B7 | Jimmy Finnerty singled to the shortstop to bring home Zach Ganca (6-9, Del Val)
B7 | Chris Kubas singled up the middle to plate Tyrus Chippendale (7-9, Del Val)
B7 | Bases-loaded walk scored Brody Donovan (8-9, Del Val)
 
The scoring in game two did not happen until the bottom of the fifth inning when a fielding error by the short stop allowed Kubas to bring in the first run and give the Devils a 1-0 lead. FDU extended its lead to 2-0 on home run by Tyler McCulloch (Berkeley Heights, NJ), his first of the season.

Heading into do-or-die territory, The Aggies were able to put together a six-run top of the seventh to take control of the game. Fairleigh Dickinson had runners in scoring position during the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Delaware Valley defense held strong and did not allow a run to take the 6-2 triumph.

Anthony Molina (Bound Brook, NJ) started in game two and pitched six innings and allowed one run with one strike out. Chris Kaponis (Burlington Twp., NJ) suffered the loss in relief for the Devils when he allowed three earned runs. The winning pitcher for the Aggies was Orion Frailey, who pitched two innings of relief and allowed only one earned run and collected a strikeout.

FDU SCORING SUMMARY
B5 | Mark Geist reached on an error by the short stop, Kubas scored (FDU, 1-0)
B6 | Tyler McCulloch home run (FDU, 2-0)

FDU-Florham will try to avoid getting swept by Delaware Valley as they head to Doylestown, Pa. on Sunday, April 16 for a noon time single.

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