Madison, N.J. (February 24) – The FDU-Florham baseball team (1-3) exploded for 19 runs in their morning contest against Saint Elizabeth (1-1) to upend the Eagles 19-1, but fell short against Drew (1-1), 4-2 in the Madison Ave Challenge on February 24. Each team took a game from each other in the cross-town rival series.

On the full day, Brody Donovan (South Plainfield, N.J.) led the way with six RBI on three hits and scored three runs. Jake Hendershot (Martinsville, N.J.) collected four hits, two RBI, and stole four bases while Aaron Santos (Middlesex, N.J.) notched two hits, two RBI and two doubles.
 
Vs. Saint Elizabeth
 
Fairleigh Dickinson got things going in the bottom of first inning when Hendershot made it all the way to third on a walk, stolen base and wild pitch. He crossed home plate on a single RBI through the right side by Donovan. Donovan helped extend the lead in the bottom of the third after a two-RBI single up the middle that brought Tyrus Chippendale (Middlesex, N.J.) and Hendershot across the plate for a 3-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the fourth inning, The Devils continued their control over the game with another pair of runs for a 5-0 advantage. A pair of stolen bases from Dylan Hode (Manalapan, N.J.) and Jack Giovenco (Allentown, Pa.) caught Saint Elizabeth and on the throw to get Hode out on the steal, the ball sailed over the third baseman's head and Hode brought in a run. Giovenco stole third and was plated on a ground out RBI by Hendershot.

The Eagles scored their lone run in the top of the fifth on a ground out RBI from Mekhi Hinds that scored Briants Rodriguez.
 
The bottom of the fifth is when the Devils blew the door wide open offensively with seven runs to take a big 12-1 lead. In the inning, runs were scored on an Aaron Santos (Bridgewater, N.J.) RBI double to center field, two bases-loaded walks, a two-RBI single through the right side by Giovenco, a Hendershot single through the left side and a fielder's choice RBI on Donovan's at-bat.
 
FDU-Florham matched their big inning with another seven-run offensive explosion to take a 19-1 lead. Those runs were scored on a Chippendale RBI through the right side, a two-RBI single up the middle by Donovan, a fielding error in centerfield that caused three runs to go across home plate and a single RBI to center field by Hode.
 
After Saint Elizabeth was halted in the top of the seventh, the game was called on a 10-run mercy rule agreed upon by both teams before the game and the Devils took the morning win.
 
In his first appearance and first start on the mound this season, Chris Kaponis (Burlington, Twp., N.J.) got the win because of the seven-inning contest. He pitched four innings, allowed only one hit and zero runs and struck out eight batters. Ben Cohen (Malibu, Calif) and Michael Dunay (Stockholm, N.J.). Cohen pitched an inning, allowed one run, no hits and a run while Dunay pitched two innings, allowed no hits or runs and struck out two batters.
 
Vs. Drew
 
After two scoreless innings, the Rangers put the first point on the board in the third inning on an Anthony Hernandez triple to right field that scored Jack Mocik for a 1-0 lead. Drew then extended the lead to 2-0 on a bases-loaded walk in the top of the fourth inning.
 
FDU-Florham cut into the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Donovan got on base on a fielder's choice and was brought all the way around the bases on double down the left field line to make the score, 2-1 Drew.
 
With runners on the corners in the top of the eighth inning, Dallas Lorenzetti stole second and the throw down allowed Tre Francis to score from third to give the Rangers a two-point lead again at 3-1. The Devils answered back in the bottom of the frame when Chippendale singled through the right side and Matt Aber (Basking Ridge, N.J.), Hode and John Rolli (Long Valley, N.J.) were all walked to bring the game back to a one score game, 3-2.
 
A sacrifice fly by Nate Miller that brought home Anthony Hernandez gave Drew a 4-2 and the defense did its job in the final half inning of the game as the Rangers held off the Devils to take the win.
 
Robbie Hughes (Union, N.J.) suffered the loss in his first start of the season. He pitched three innings, allowed two runs (one earned), one hit and struck out two batters. Trenon Stanard (Millington, N.J.) made his collegiate debut and pitched three innings in relief and allowed only one hit, no runs and struck out two batters.
 
 
FDU-Florham will host the third game of there five-game homestand on Tuesday, February 27 at 2:30 pm as they host New Jersey City.
 
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