WPI Runs Past Fitchburg State, 15-9

Phelan leads all-hitters with a game-high for hits in Falcons setback

AUBURNDALE, Fla. (March 12, 2009) - Sophomore John Phelan (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and three RBI as Fitchburg State suffered a 15-9 setback to WPI in non-conference action this afternoon.

JOHN PHELAN

Phelan led all hitters, posting a game-high four hits with two singles and two doubles, while senior Aaron Granahan (Thomaston, Conn./Thomaston) added two hits, two runs and one RBI. Classmate Kris Breen (Griswold, Conn./Griswold) finished 3-for-5 with a double and one RBI and sophomore Nick Rocheleau (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) notched two base-hits.

Freshman Nick Bean (Middleboro, Mass./Middleboro) and junior Jameson Kokolis (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Central) each launched home runs and drove in four runs en route to the victory for WPI. Senior Scott McNee (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) finished 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and one RBI.

WPI opened the contest with an early 6-0 as the Engineers belted five hits in the opening frame. Kokolis paced the Engineer rally with a three-run homerun, while junior Mike Swanton (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro) connected for a triple to right-center field. McNee added an RBI double in the inning, while Bean chipped in with an RBI base-hit.

Fitchburg State responded with four runs over the next two innings, cutting the Engineer lead to 6-4. Granahan ignited the rally with a triple and run scored, while Phelan belted an RBI single to plate three.

With the score standing at 10-7 through six innings of play, WPI sealed its third victory of the season, posting five runs over the final three innings for a 15-8 lead. Junior Matt Moreau (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Central) and junior Paul Galligan (Weymouth, Mass./Archbishop Williams) led the Engineer charge with one triple apiece, while McNee connected for an RBI double.

Sophomore Corey Donovan (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) suffered the loss for the Falcons, while freshman Tyler Kendrick (Montague, Mass./Smith Academy) tossed 5.1 innings of solid relief. Junior Nolan Murphy (Shrewsbury, Mass./St. John's) earned the victory for WPI, allowing four earned runs with eight strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work.

Fitchburg State (6-3, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Wednesday as it hosts WPI at 3 p.m. WPI (3-3, 0-0 NEWMAC) takes on Benoit College tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.

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