Fitchburg State Draws Even With Dean College, 7-7

Maki and Milliard collect three hits each for Falcons in non-conference tie

NORTHBORO, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University baseball team was in action this afternoon, playing the Bulldogs of Dean College to a 7-7 stalemate in non-conference action at the New England Baseball Complex.

Fitchburg State opened the scoring in the top of the third as junior Andrew Mooney doubled to left field to bring home senior Nathan Littman and freshman Joshua Macomber before Mooney crossed the plate on a throwing miscue for the 3-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs answered in the bottom half of the third when freshman Aldo Ripley singled and scored on a double off the bat of sophomore Christopher Wood (3-1). The Green and Gold extended its margin in the following stanza as junior Sean Maki ripped a two-run double to center that scored Mooney and Littman to make the score 6-1.

Trailing 7-3 in the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs cut the deficit to just one as Wood doubled to left, moved to third on a ground out. Newcomer John Cerretani was hit by pitch to put runners on the corners before sophomore Conor Callery launched a three-run shot over the right field fence to cut the lead to 7-6.

Dean knotted the score (7-7) in the bottom of the ninth when Callery led off the frame with a single, advanced to third on double by sophomore Retsyn Ootton and scored on a single from Ripley as the game was called after nine innings of play, resulting in the 7-7 final.

The Falcons were paced by Mooney, who hit 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and three RBI, while Maki and Milliard combined for six hits, including three doubles, one run scored and three runs batted in.

For Dean, Wood finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, one run scored and an RBI, while Callery hit 3-for-4, including a home run, four runs scored and three RBI.

On the mound, newcomer Kyle Nocera got the start for the Green and Gold, yielding one run on four hits with five strikeouts in three innings of work, while senior Jon Lawlor went seven innings for the Bulldogs, allowing seven runs on 12 hits with four K's in a no decision.

Fitchburg State (14-17-1, 7-5 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it concludes conference play, traveling to Salem State to take on the Vikings for a double header, starting at 12 p.m. Dean (14-14-2) will host the University of Maine Presque-Isle on Friday for a twin-billing, starting at 2 p.m.