MADISON, NJ (March 26, 2022) -- After dropping a heartbreaker in the opener by a score of 4-3 in extra innings, the King's College baseball team recorded 18 hits in the nightcap to earn the 13-6 win over the host FDU-Florham on Saturday afternoon in MAC Freedom play at Naimoli Ballpark. With the split, the Monarchs pick up their first MAC Freedom win of the season and improve to 7-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play, while the Devils fall to 13-5 with a 5-1 conference mark.

Game 1 - L, 3-4 (9 Innings):
FDU-Florham (13-5, 5-1 MAC Freedom) got on the board first with a two-run home run in the second, but King's (7-8, 1-5 MAC Freedom) tacked on a run in the third thanks to a Devils error that saw sophomore Brennen Schneider drive in senior Andrew Steidle to trail 2-1.

The bats slowed down over the next two innings before the Devils plated another run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth to hold the 3-1 advantage. The Monarchs tied the game in the seventh thanks to an RBI groundout from sophomore Gregory Ahlstrom and an RBI double from sophomore Stewart Caladie to send the game to extra innings.

Each team recorded a hit in the eighth but could not drive in the winning run. King's put a runner on third with one out but could not secure the run in the top of ninth before the Devils plated the game winner with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, defeating King's 4-3 in nine innings.

First year Zach Day and sophomore Chase Yochem recorded two hits in the loss, with Yochem adding a double. Senior Shane Beyer threw well through the first 8.0 innings, striking out nine and allowing just three earned runs, while first year Matt Martin recorded the loss in relief.

Chris Kubas led FDU-Florham with a 2-for-4 effort, while DJ Gonnelli drove in a team-high two runs. Colby Craig earned the win in relief in 1.0 innings of work with one strikeout.

Game 2 - W, 13-6:
The Monarchs started game two hot as they plated five runs on six hits in the opening inning. A double from Schneider scored the first run of the game before a double from senior Seth Laky added another tally. Junior Brandon Loner delivered his first home run as a Monarch with no outs to put King's ahead, 5-0.

FDU-Florham used a homer of their own in the bottom of the first to close within three runs, 5-2, but the Monarchs had an answer thanks to a two-RBI double from Yochem to increase their lead to 7-2. Another Devils double would see the score at 7-3 after two innings of play.

A quick defensive third inning set up the Monarchs to record three runs on four hits in the fourth as Loner delivered his second home run of the game to put King's ahead, 9-3. A Yochem double set up an RBI single from Junior Pat Noone as the Monarchs held the daunting 10-3 advantage.

King's scored runs in each of the next three innings thanks to an RBI single from Laky, a sacrifice fly from Noone, and an RBI double from Yochem to lead, 13-3, heading into the final inning of play. The Devils were able to score three in the bottom of the seventh to close within seven runs, but their efforts fell short as King's earned the 13-6 win to post the doubleheader split with the Devils.

Yochem went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate, including four doubles, with three RBIs, two runs, and a stolen base. Steidle was solid with a 4-for-5 outing with three runs and a double. Loner drove in a team-high five runs, while Laky also crossed the plate three times in the win. First year Jeff Higgins earned his first collegiate win in a scoreless 2.0 innings of relief, giving up two hits and striking out one.

Sean Woddell led the Devils with a perfect 4-for-4 game at the plate, while Matt Nodoro recorded two hits with two runs and two RBIs. DJ Gonnelli was awarded the loss as the starter in 1.0 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits.
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King's is set to host Penn State Hazleton on Tuesday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m. in non-conference play at Lipo Field before traveling to Penn State Scranton on Wednesday for a 4:00 p.m. first pitch in Dunmore.