Fitchburg State Edged By WPI, 8-5
Fitchburg State Edged By WPI, 8-5
Phelan ties Falcons' single season hits mark with his 54th hit of the season
WORCESTER, Mass. (April 27, 2009) - Sophomore John Phelan (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) notched his 54th hit of the season as Fitchburg State fell to WPI, 8-5, in a thrilling non-conference match up this afternoon. With his 54th hit of the season, Phelan ties Fitchburg State's all-time single season hits record, previously set by Brian Mileisen.
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Senior Andy Sauer (Willington, Conn./E.O. Smith) added two hits for the Falcons, including a triple, while classmate John Davison (Stoneham, Mass./Stoneham) finished 2-for-4 with two doubles, one run scored and one RBI.
The Engineers jumped out in front early, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, junior Paul Galligan (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) singled to left, followed by a double down the right field line from junior Matt Moreau (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Central). Senior Scott McNee (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) then produced an RBI groundout and Moreau later scored on a wild pitch to give WPI the 2-0 edge.
Fitchburg State overcame WPI's early scoring, taking a 3-2 lead with a three-run barrage in the fourth. Sophomore Brian Ware (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) led off by reaching on a fielding error and stole second to get into scoring position. Senior Kris Breen (Griswold, Conn./Griswold) followed with an RBI single down the line in right, before Davison knotted the game at 2-2 with an RBI double to left. Sophomore Will Comerford (Ayer, Mass./Ayer) then connected fro an RBI infield single to give the Falcons the lead.
WPI rallied back, scoring two runs on a pair bases-loaded walks in the sixth frame, but Ftichburg State responded again with two runs in the seventh to take a 5-4 advantage. Davison kicked things off with a double and a run scored, while Comerford added the Falcons fifth run.
The lead was shortlived for the Falcons though as WPI battled back again, tying the score in the bottom of the frame on a McNee RBI single. With the score tied at 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth, McNee struck again, belting a three-run walkoff home run to give WPI its 21st victory of the season.
Starting pitcher Conor Fahey (Cumberland, R.I./Cumberland) tossed a complete game seven-hitter for WPI, striking out seven and not allowing an earned run. Sophomore Mike Scaramellino (Dover Plains, N.Y./Dover Plains) took the loss for the Falcons in relief of starter Jake Barbarotta (Pittsfield, Mass./Pittsfield), who went the first 5 2/3 innings.
Fitchburg State (18-16, 5-9 MASCAC) will be in action again on May 4 as it travels to MIT at 4 p.m. WPI (23-11, 9-3 NEWMAC) will conclude its season on Tuesday as it hosts Elms College at 4 p.m.