FLORIDA -- With five first-inning runs, things started off well for the Fredonia State baseball team in its initial contest of its Spring Trip to Florida. Unfortunately, it did not end well, as they fell 22-8 to Utica.

The Pioneers scored eight times in the bottom of the first and never looked back. They tacked on three in the second and six in the third. The Devils did add two of their own in the third, but were behind 17-7.

Ethan Behnke continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-4 with a double and a pair of RBI. Matt Wojcik was 3-3 with a walk at the plate, and also scored twice. Leadoff batter Alex Gannon walked three times, while AJ Roach reached base twice on free passes. The Devils had nne hits in the game.

The Devils used five pitchers and issued 14 walks. Jeremy Rosado was a bright spot, striking out three and giving up no runs in his inning of work.

The Devils are back at it tomorrow, taking on Lakeland College. The Russ Matt Tournament has a discrepancy with the start time. The doubleheader has been moved to 10 a.m.