MADISON, NJ (March 31, 2023) -- Both Zach Day and Chase Yochem put up four hits as they led the King's College baseball team in an instant classic, defeating FDU-Florham on the road in Madison, NJ on Friday night in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) opener. With the win, the Monarchs improve to 9-12 overall and 2-8 in MAC Freedom play, while the Devils fall to 5-14 with a 2-5 conference mark.
 
King's (9-12, 2-8 MAC Freedom) stormed out of the gates, taking advantage of a one-out double from Nick Ciszak before Yochem recorded his first home run of the day on a two-run shot to left center to put the Monarchs ahead, 2-0. FDU-Florham put up a run in the bottom of the second to close within one, using a leadoff double and a sacrifice fly, as the Devils brought the deficit to just one, 2-1.
 
Two singles from Day and Michael Marmolejos and a walk from Brando Loner allowed another Monarch run to cross in the top of the third as they pushed their lead to 3-1. There was just one hit recorded in the next three half innings before King's plated another run on three hits, including a double from Yochem and singles from Will Hronich and Day, as the King's lead stood at 4-1 after the top of the fifth.
 
Another defensive standoff ensued as there was only one hit recorded in the next one and a half innings before the Monarchs high-powered offensive outing struck again, using Yochem's second home run of the game to see their advantage pushed to 5-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
 
The Devils closed the deficit, using two hits to tally one run in the bottom of the seventh, while adding another two runs on two hits to edge within one, 5-4, heading into the final inning of regulation.
 
King's put up two insurance runs in the top of the ninth on four hits, including a double from Day and singles from Justin Richards, Hronich, and Yochem, as the Monarchs held a 7-4 advantage heading into the bottom half of the inning.
 
FDU-Florham (5-14, 2-5 MAC Freedom) rallied in the bottom of the ninth, tacking on three runs on three hits to tie the game, to send the opener of the MAC Freedom series to extra innings. Neither team found a rhythm in the 10^th to set up the thrilling finish in the 11^th inning of the game.
 
Hronich led off with a single to left field and advanced to third on a single through the left side from Ciszak. A groundout from Brennen Schneider put two in scoring position with just one out to set up the two-RBI triple form Day. A single form Quin Acchione drove in Day as King's held a 10-7 advantage with three outs standing between the Monarchs and the win.
 
The Monarchs defense retired three out of four batters faced in the bottom of the 11^th to secure the 10-7 win over FDU-Florham in game one of the MAC Freedom series on Friday night in Madison, NJ.
 
Yochem went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs with two homers and a double to lead the 16-hit team effort, while Day matched his four-hit effort with four RBIs and two runs. Hronich was also strong at the plate as he posted three hits with two runs, while Ciszak rounded out the multi-hit appearances for the Monarchs with two hits and two runs. Hronich earned the win in 3.0 innings of relief, allowing just one earned run on three hits. Matt Martin was strong as the start for King's holding the Devils to one earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts across 8.0 innings of work.
 
Three different Devils put up two hits in the loss, led by Zach Ganca with two hits, two RBIs, and a run. While Aaron Santos went 2-for-5 with two runs. Additionally, Gabe Francisco drove in two while Tyrus Chippendale totaled two hits with a run. Jake Rivera was awarded the loss in 3.1 innings of relief, allowing three earned runs on five hits.
 
King's will look to continue the momentum tomorrow at Lipo Field in the MAC Freedom doubleheader with the Devils. Weather permitting, action is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.