GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. -- Fredonia State battled back offensively but couldn't overcome an early deficit in a 14-5 non conference loss against Hilbert on Tuesday at Grand Island H.S. 

The Hawks jumped out quickly with a five-run first inning, highlighted by a two RBI double to left center by Chace Porter to go up 3-0. Hilbert scored again via a error and a passed ball to maintain a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the first.They added another run in the third and two more in the fifth extending their lead to 8-1.

Fredonia State's offense showed life in the fourth inning when Andrew Tucker laced a double down the left field line and later came home on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Mettler. Tucker again came up big for the Devils in the bottom of the fifth when he crushed a ball to deep center field for a three run home run to make the score 8-4.

Hilbert, however, responded with another five run inning in the sixth to go up by eight runs. The Devils added one more in the sixth inning when Vito Verni drove in Ryan Mettler with an RBI ground rule double to center field. Fredonia State only manged one more hit in the remaining three innings to close out the game. 

Pitcher Michael Byrns (0-2) took the loss for Fredonia State after allowing five runs in the opening inning. Connor Burkestone followed giving up just one unearned run over 1.2 innings, while Talfourd Wynne was effective late, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Hilbert's pitching staff was led by Jase Burdon (2-0), who earned the win with four innings while only allowing one run. The bullpen combined to limit Fredonia State to just two earned runs over the final five innings while striking out 10.

Fredonia State continues SUNYAC play this weekend with a three-game series against Plattsburgh, beginning Friday at 3:00 p.m. on March 27th.