MADISON, NJ (April 11, 2026) -- The King's College baseball team wrapped up a three-game Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom series Saturday afternoon, dropping both games of a road doubleheader to FDU‑Florham at Vincent J. and Lenda F. Naimoli Field by scores of 12-2 and 21-15. The Monarchs fall to 5-19 overall and 1-14 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Devils improve to 14-15 on the season and 4-11 in the MAC Freedom.
 

Game 1 - FDU-Florham 12, King's 2
FDU‑Florham opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead, but King's responded in the top of the third. Troy Neff singled, advanced into scoring position, and later scored on an RBI single by Jordan Andino to tie the game at 1-1.
 

The momentum shifted in the bottom of the third as the Devils erupted for five runs to move in front 6-1. Connor Reynolds worked through traffic early and finished his outing with four strikeouts over four innings, including a strikeout to end the third and prevent additional runs.
 

FDU‑Florham added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend the lead to 8-1, but King's limited further damage in the inning by turning a 6-4-3 double play to halt the rally and get out of the frame. The Devils later pulled away with four runs in the sixth to stretch the advantage to 12-1.
 

King's plated its final run in the top of the seventh. Brendan Kopec singled, stole second, and scored on an RBI single by Owen Kosar to trim the deficit, but FDU-Florham was able to secure the final out to take Game 1 by a score of 12-2.
 

Neff led the Monarchs with two hits and a stolen base, while Andino and Kosar each drove in a run. Reynolds took the loss despite recording four strikeouts, and Jimmy Fitzgerald added a scoreless relief inning while striking out one batter.


Game 2 - FDU-Florham 22, King's 15

The nightcap turned into a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest from the opening inning. King's jumped ahead 2-0 in the top of the first when Troy Neff walked, Mikey Timinski singled, and Jaiden Wanamaker delivered a two-run double to left field. FDU-Florham responded immediately with five runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 5-2 lead, manufacturing runs with baserunners and timely contact.
 

King's clawed back in the third inning. Neff once again set the table by singling and later scoring on a sacrifice fly by Kopec to make it 5-3. Wanamaker followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-4. The Devils answered with a big bottom of the third, extending the lead to 13-4, though Monarch pitchers recorded key outs, including a strikeout by Matt Masala and steady work from Brian Beltre to limit further escalation.
 

The Monarchs mounted their largest rally of the day in the seventh, sending 13 batters to the plate and erupting for nine runs. RBI singles from Mikey Timinski, Noah Gesford, Sean Noone, Dominic Carafa, and Neff highlighted the surge, along with a sacrifice fly by Owen Kosar and an RBI from Zach Jenkins. The outburst erased the deficit and tied the game at 13-13, completely shifting momentum.
 

King's briefly recaptured the lead in the top of the eighth. Brendan Kopec led off the inning with a double and later scored on an RBI single by Wanamaker, giving the Monarchs a 14-13 advantage. FDU-Florham quickly answered in the bottom of the frame, unleashing an eight-run inning to reclaim control at 21-14.
 

The Monarchs continued to battle in the ninth, adding one final run on an RBI walk by Gesford to make it 21-15, but the Devils closed out the contest to secure the victory.
 

Neff paced the Monarchs offensively with three hits, four runs scored, and two walks. Timinski went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, while Wanamaker drove in four runs, including the go-ahead RBI in the eighth. Gesford added three RBIs, and Carafa reached base three times during the seventh-inning rally. On the mound, Nick Buskirk provided a strong stretch of relief, tossing three scoreless innings to keep King's within reach through the middle portion of the game.

 Across the doubleheader, King's totaled 23 runs on 25 hits as the Monarchs remained aggressive at the plate throughout the day. Troy Neff reached base consistently in both games with five hits, crossing the plate five times throughout the twinbill.

The Monarchs return home to Lipo Field on Monday, April 13, hosting Cairn University for a nonconference matchup. First pitch against the Highlanders is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

--MONARCHS--