Baseball blanked by FDU Florham in RussMatt Invitational

Auburndale, FL- The FDU Florham baseball team scored four runs in the first inning and Brad Norris tossed five scoreless frames as the Devils cruised past the MCLA Trailblazers 14-0 this afternoon at the RussMatt Invitational.  The game was stopped after 7 innings due to the mercy rule.  FDU picks up their first win of the season and sit at 1-3, while the Trailblazers drop to 1-2 overall.

The Devils wasted little time getting on the scoreboard jumping on MCLA starter Robert Jutras.  A leadoff walk and a double put runners on second and third, bringing Frankie Tassielli to the plate.  He promptly drove a ball deep to left for a three run homer and a quick 3-0 lead.  Following another walk and a stolen base, FDU added another on an RBI single off the bat of Vinnie Bonaccorso to make it 4-0.   Jutras averted further damage by inducing a double play ball to end the inning.

FDU would add another run in the third on a Bonaccorso sacrifice fly after loading the bases with nobody out.  Jutras would buckle down and avoid further damage getting an infield groundout and flyball to end the frame.

The Trailblazers would threaten to score in the bottom of the fourth when Billy Pulasky led off with a single and advanced to second on an error.  The Devils would flash some leather though, cutting him down at the plate after he attempted to score on a groundout.  FDU would quickly add another run in the fifth off MCLA reliever Ben Harvish when Christopher Franco homered to left.

The visitors put the game away by exploding for 8 runs in the sixth inning taking advantage of 7 free passes from Trailblazer pitching. 

Nick DeAngelis led the Devils with a 3-4 showing.  He scored twice and drove in a run.  Tassielli reach base all five times which included three walks.  He drove in three and scored twice.  Franco ended with a pair of hits and 3 RBI.  In all, the Devils collected 11 hits and took advantage of 12 free passes.

Norris was solid in his five innings of work.  He struck out a pair and surrendered four hits to earn the win.

Jutras (0-1) absorbed the loss tossing four innings and allowing 6 hits and 5 earned runs.  He walked five and struck out three.  Slayter Aubin had a pair of singles to lead the offense.

MCLA will be off tomorrow before taking on Becker in a doubleheader Monday.