MADISON, N.J. (April 20, 2024) – Graduate student Ben Tobio had four hits and scored five runs as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team lost to FDU-Florham 9-5 (F/7) in game one and 9-3 in game two of a MAC Freedom doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

Graduate student Leo Bristow (2-3) took the loss in game one. He pitched two-thirds of an inning in the first and gave up five runs on two hits. Junior Joe Gonzalez did well in relief for the Ducks, as he pitched three and a third inning and allowed just one run on five hits.

Sophomore William Sotiropoulos (1-3) lost game two. He pitched the first two and two-thirds innings and allowed seven runs on five hits. Junior Sean Shea was the best reliever for the team in the game, as he pitched two innings and gave up two hits.

The Ducks dropped to 20-12 overall and 11-7 in MAC Freedom play this season, as FDU-Florham took the series after winning both games today. Stevens can only host a postseason series if they sweep Misericordia next weekend and Lebanon Valley sweeps Arcadia.

The Ducks fell to 15-8 all-time against FDU-Florham. The two losses today ended a 12-game winning streak against the Devils. FDU-Florham improved to 12-22 with the wins and they are now 5-13 in MAC Freedom play.

The Rundown (Game 1)

• Tobio was hit in the first at-bat of the game as he got a free base. He then stole second and was later advanced to third. Tobio would score on an error as the Ducks took an early 1-0 lead.
• FDU-Florham scored five in the bottom of the first.
• Tobio kickstarted things again for the Ducks in the third. He doubled down the right field line and then reached third on a ground out. Senior Christian Kreiser then grounded into a fielder's choice, which allowed Tobio to break for home. Tobio would score thanks to an FDU error. Kreiser would make his way to third in the inning after stealing second and then reaching third via a groundout. Now with two outs, junior Zachary Boykin hit a ground-rule double that allowed Kreiser to score, as the Ducks got within two.
• The Devils added one in the bottom of the third to take a 6-3 lead.
• Kreiser hit an RBI triple in the third to score Tobio for the third time as the Ducks made it 6-4.
• The Devils scored three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to go up 9-4.
• Stevens tried for a late rally but they came up short. Tobio walked in the inning and would later score after graduate student Michael Reyes doubled, but that would be the only run they would bring across in the inning.

• Looking to rebound in game two, the Ducks struck in the first once again. Tobio and junior Eli Somers each doubled to start the inning. After a double play put Tobio to third, Reyes singled to score Tobio. Reyes would then reach second on a balk and then come home to score after Boykin singled to put the Ducks up 2-0.
• The Devils tied the game up in the bottom of the first.
• FDU-Florham scored three in the second to take a 5-2 lead.
• The Devils added two more in the third.
• Stevens had runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth innings, but could not score a run. 
• The Devils led 9-2 after the fifth.
• Stevens scored one in the ninth as FDU-Florham secured the sweep.

Top Performers

• Tobio added two stolen bases.
• Reyes had four hits, four RBI, and a run scored.
• First-year Chip Krese picked up four hits.
• Boykin totaled three hits and two RBI.
• Stevens committed eight errors across the two games.

For the Opponents

• Nick Rizos (2-0) earned the win in game one. He pitched four innings and gave up four runs on five hits. Ryan Krug (2) earned the save, pitching two innings and allowing just one hit and one run.
• Chris Kaponis (3-4) picked up the win in game two. He lasted six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits.
• Matt Aber had six RBI and three hits in game two.
• Jake Hendershot tallied six hits, five runs, and two RBI across the two games.
• The Devils totaled seven stolen bases across the two games.

Around the MAC Freedom 

• Arcadia 14, King's 0
• Delaware Valley 4, Lebanon Valley 14
• Misericordia 15, DeSales 1
• Arcadia 14, King's 5
• Delaware Valley 4, Lebanon Valley 10
• Misericordia 22, DeSales 10

Up Next

• Baseball was originally scheduled to play Penn State Harrisburg tomorrow, but that game was canceled due to Penn State Harrisburg having to move a conference game to tomorrow. The next game on the schedule is a home game against New Jersey City University on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. The Ducks are 10-1 all-time against the Gothic Knights, including winning the last four meetings. Links for live stats and video are available on stevensducks.com.