The game one loss ended a five game winning streak for the young Eastern squad. The Eagles (16-12, 7-8 Freedom) lost 8-3 in the opener and saw a late rally fall just short in a 10-9 game two loss.

Eastern played nearly flawless defense in Friday's home win over the Devils, but errors in each of the first two innings gave FDU extra outs as they built an 8-0 lead after just two innings. First Baseman Ryan Fandel capped a four run first with a two-out home run. The hosts scored four more in the second after a lead-off error. Only three of the runs in the two innings were earned.

"You can't give good teams more than three outs in an inning." said Eastern Head Coach Matt Midkiff. "They capitalized on our mistakes, and we were in a big hole early."

The Eagles earned a run back in the top of the third on a Scott Renauro double and RBI single from Mike McNulty. They scored two more runs in the sixth on a Greg Lukasik homer and doubles from Ramon Reyes and Matt Horican, but the deficit proved to be too great and the Devils held on for the 8-3 win. Nick Moeltner allowed three earned runs in six innings but took the loss.

Eastern built a 3-2 lead through four innings in game two, but things fell apart in the bottom of the fifth. FDU scored eight times on five hits and three errors. Zach Clouser entered with the bases loaded and was able to get the final out after allowing a final run to score. Clouser pitched a scoreless sixth.

That run would ultimately prove to be costly as the Eagles' rally fell just a single tally short in the top of the seventh. Horican led off with a single to right and Renauro took a base on balls, and both runners scored on a Joel Rios double. 

Renauro's school-record 22 game hitting streak came to an end with an 0-2 performance in the second game. The sophomore shortstop drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and reached base on a walk. He has reached base in all 28 contests this Spring.

With Rios on second, the Eastern rally continued as McNulty singled and Greg Lukasik walked to load the bases. Reyes cleared the bases with his first home run of the season. The grand slam to center closed the gap to 10-9 with one out. Greg DeSarro singled to keep things going, but the Eastern rally stopped at six and the Devils took the season series.

Matt Mizerek picked up the win for FDU (23-5, 12-3). The Eagles will need to win at least five of six down the stretch and get some help from FDU and DeSales to earn a spot in the Freedom Playoffs.

That playoffs are in the conversation is a testament to the distance the Eastern squad has traveled in a singe year. Last year, Midkiff's first, the Eagles did not win a game in Conference play and took just three overall. This year's squad, with new faces in several key places and new roles for several returners, is just two wins shy of the most wins in program history. The Eagles return to action tomorrow in a non-league home game against Muhlenberg College.

Game One Box Score