SALAMANCA, N.Y. -- Fredonia State jumped out to an early lead but couldn't hold off a late push, falling to Oneonta 5-2 on Friday at Veterans Memorial Park. 

The Devils set the tone early with a strong first inning at the plate. Nick Vitelli opened the frame with a triple to center, and Andrew Tucker followed with an RBI double to bring him home. Later in the inning, Tucker came around to score on a play at second base, giving the Devils an early 2-0 advantage.

Oneonta chipped away at the early deficit beginning in the fifth inning, using an RBI play to cut the lead in half. They pulled even in the sixth with an RBI single from Ryan Cronin. Defensive miscues proved costly for Fredonia State, as a passed ball and errors allowed the go-ahead run to score before a two-run single from Matt Sandoval pushed the advantage to 5-2.

Despite collecting 10 hits on the day, Fredonia State was unable to add to its lead. Tucker Schwab led the Devil offense with two hits, while Vitelli, Tucker, and Zachary Richards each recorded extra-base hits. Morgan Zientara was solid on the mound for the Devils, going seven innings while allowing four runs, just two earned, and striking out six. For Oneonta, Jake Quigley earned the win, improving to 4-1 after allowing just one earned run over six innings while striking out seven. Lukas Jachens closed with three scoreless innings.

With the loss, Fredonia falls to 4-12 and 3-2 In SUNYAC play, while Oneonta improves to 12-10 and 2-2. Fredonia State will return to action against Oneonta in a doubleheader at Veterans Memorial Park in Salamanca, N.Y., with game one scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.