Fitchburg State Falls Twice At Salem State

Phelan becomes Falcons' all-time doubles leader with 36th career double

SALEM, Mass. (April 3, 2011) – The Fitchburg State baseball team dropped a pair of contests to Salem State University in MASCAC action this afternoon. The Falcons were edged 9-7 in game one before falling 7-3 in the nightcap.

Salem State 9, Fitchburg State 7

In game one, senior John Phelan (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) became Fitchburg State's all-time doubles leader, posting his eighth double of the season (36th career) as the Falcons suffered its first conference setback of the season. Phelan snapped the five-year record previously held by Tim Raymond at the end of the 2006 season.

In addition to his doubles accolade, Phelan also broke Fitchburg State all-time career hits record of 157 set by Matt Raiche at the end of the 2002 season. With 26 hits this season, Phelan has now posted 159 career hits, making him the program's all-time hits leader.

Phelan paced the Falcons offense, hitting 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI, while sophomore Jeff Boice (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) was the only other Fitchburg State player with multiple hits. Freshman David Mason (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) finished 1-for-3 in the contest with one RBI and a pair of runs.

Salem State's Ryan Kane (Nahant, Mass.) plated the first run for the Vikings, notching an RBI double to right field but Fitchburg State tied the score as senior Dave Alexander (Torrington, Conn./Torrington) and classmate Nick Rocheleau (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) connected with back-to-back singles in the top of the second. 

Salem State regained the lead with a single run in the second and two runs in the bottom the third as the Vikings ripped off three straight singles to grab a 4-2 advantage. Geury Alonzo (Boston, Mass.) plated one of the runs and Kyle McElroy (Newburyport, Mass.) followed with a sacrifice fly to give Salem State a two run lead.

Trailing 5-3 in the fifth, Fitchburg State grabbed its first lead of the contest, posting four runs for a 7-5 advantage. Mason and senior Brian Ware (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) tied the game with back-to-back RBI singles  before Phelan's two-run base-hit put the Falcons ahead by two.

Salem State rallied back however, tacking on four runs in the bottom of the sixth frame to post the 9-7 victory. Junker and Salines led off the inning with back-to-back doubles before Kyle McElroy (Newburyport, Mass.) added to the lead with an RBI single

Sophomore Tynan Flegg (Calgary, AB/National Sports Academy) suffered the loss in relief for the Falcons, yielding four runs on six hits over two innings of work. Junior Michal Mercier (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex) worked the first four innings for Fitchburg State, scattering five runs and eight hits while striking out two.

Salem State 7, Fitchburg State 3

In the nightcap, Salem State jumped out to an early 7-0 lead by the second inning and never looked back to claim the season-sweep over Fitchburg State.

Phelan was electric again for the Falcons, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI, while Boice added an RBI double. Mason was also strong, finishing 3-for-3 with a trio of singles.

Kane ignited the Salem State offense right from the start again, singling home the Vikings first run of the contest for an early 1-0 lead. The Vikings came back in the second with six hits including four straight singles to build a 7-0 lead as Kane belted an RBI single and Mike Lamouthe (Beverly, Mass.) followed with a two-run base knock.

Fitchburg State loaded the bases in the top of the third with the help of two hits and a walk. Phelan scored the Falcons first run of the game on an infield putout, but the Vikings prevented further damage when Fitchburg State lined into an inning ending double play.

The Falcons mustered a last minute rally in the top of the seventh as junior Frank Yavorosky (Westminster, Mass./Narragansett) led off with a double and later scored on a base hit by Phelan. Boice chased Salem's starter with an RBI double that made the score 7-3 but closer Andrew Guido came on and recorded the final two outs to give the Vikings their fourth straight win.

Sophomore Alex Teal (Malden, Mass./Malden) suffered the loss in the complete game effort for the Falcons. Teal surrendered 16 hits on the day, allowing seven runs (four earned), while striking out four.

Fitchburg State (5-10, 0-2 MASCAC) returns to action on Tuesday as it hosts Fisher College at 3:30 p.m. Salem State (8-8, 2-0 MASCAC) will visit Rhode Island College tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.