Falcons Go 1-1 vs. First-Place Salem State on Senior Day

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Fitchburg State University capped off Senior Day at Riccards Field with its first victory against Salem State baseball since 2010, defeating the Vikings 7-2 in game two of the twin-bill highlighted by a strong-pitching performance from senior Javier Lozada.

"I couldn't ask for a better senior class," said head coach Kevin Barnaby, "their effort and willingness to succeed – I just can't say enough about these guys."

The Green and Gold out-hit the top offense in conference, 18-to-16, during the Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader split.

Fitchburg State (17-18; 10-4) has clinched the three-seed in the upcoming MASCAC tournament and will finish the regular-season schedule on Monday May 2^nd when they host Rivier College in a contest starting at 3:00 P.M.

Salem State (19-17-1; 12-2), the conference's top-seed, finishes the 2016 schedule with an away game with Gordon College with first-pitch slated for 3:30 P.M.

Game One, 13-6

Salem State's offense was alive and present in game one as 10 hits and a pair of homers helped to best Fitchburg State starter Tommy Parsons, giving him his first conference loss of the season.

Parsons, completed 4.2 innings of work, allowing seven hits and nine runs while striking out a season-low two batters.  Andrew Lessard and Noah Millard each pitched in relief.

For Salem State, senior Sean Buckland went the distance recording six punch-outs and allowing three runs while earning his seventh victory of the season to remain undefeated.  

The visitors took charge in the first inning as Jose Cedano reached base on a walk before he was doubled in by freshman Joe White for the first run of the game (1-0).

With the score 2-0, Salem State took control when Mike Davis launched a two-run blast deep into the woods past centerfield to push the advantage for the Vikings (4-0).

In the top of the fifth Salem broke it open after scoring seven runs as centerfielder Andrew Deloury capped off the frame when he jumped on the first-pitch of the at-bat for a three-run shot over the fence in left field (11-0).

Fitchburg State showed life in the bottom of the inning scoring six runs of its own as Steven Drury Jr. split the gap in right center for a two-RBI double before Riley Shea hit a ball through the infield to plate a pair (11-6).

The Vikings went on to score one run in each of the final two innings and Buckland would work around one hit in the home-half of the seventh before securing the 13-6 final for game one.

Currie, Drury, and Mooney picked up two hits apiece for Fitchburg State and Shea added two RBI while 1-for-4 at the dish.

Salem State lead-off man Davis led the offense going 3-for-4 at the plate and driving in three runs. First baseman Alex Toomey contributed two hits in three tries while picking up two RBI.

Game Two, 7-2

Senior Javier Lozada was stellar following Senior Day activities, leading the Falcons to their first victory over Salem State since April 2010 with his complete game two-run effort.

Lozada gave up six hits and allowed two earned while striking out three to quiet the bats of Salem State from game one.

Freshman Michael Raymond was charged with the loss following 1.1 innings of relief where he allowed three earned runs off a single Falcon base-hit.

Salem State opened the scoring in the top of the second as Jose Cedano picked up the first hit for the Vikings, capitalizing on a pitch in his wheel house for a solo home run over the fence in left field (1-0).

The visitors doubled their lead in the next inning as Mike Davis began with a one-out double before Richard Fecteau brought him in with a single into right field (2-0).

Fitchburg State bounced back in the bottom of the frame cutting into the deficit as catcher Nathan Littman scored Andrew Mooney on a RBI single to left field (2-1).

In the bottom of the fourth, the Green and Gold knotted the score at two when Mike Martignetti came up with a RBI single inside the third-base line to score senior Derrick Frazier. The Falcons took the lead for good later in the frame as senior Robert Lewis III scored from third on a ground ball by senior Roel Fernandez.

Fitchburg State scored insurance for its pitcher in the bottom of the sixth as designated hitter Mitchell Clary sent a line drive into the gap in left-center to score the second and third runs for the Falcons in the inning (7-2).

Lozada worked around one runner in the top of the seventh before recording the final out and splitting the doubleheader with the final of 7-2.

Littman ended 2-for-3 at the plate, driving in three runs and Andrew Mooney added a 2-for-2 day in game two. Senior Martignetti was 1-for-3 picking up an RBI and scoring a run for himself in the victory.

Salem second baseman Richard Fecteau picked up two singles and drove in a run while designated hitter Jose Cedano added a long-ball, his only hit of the contest.