Falcons Collect Conference Split With Lancers

Sullivan guides Falcons game two triumph

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Baseball team earned a split with the Lancers of Worcester State in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from Riccards Field this afternoon as the Falcons dropped the opener 15-3 before picking up a thrilling 1-0, nine game victory in the nightcap.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 3, Worcester State 15 (GM1)
Score: Fitchburg State 1, Worcester State 0 (9 Inn) (GM2)

Records: Fitchburg State (15-15, 6-9 MASCAC) I Worcester State (15-17, 9-6 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Game One

Worcester State opened the scoring in the top of the first as senior Chris Ausiello (Tyngsboro, Mass.) drew a bases-loaded walk to score junior Thomas Halliwell (Leominster, Mass.) before graduate student Sean Devin (Lynn, Mass.) laced a two-run single to right for the 3-0 margin.

The Lancers upped the lead to 5-0 in the following frame when sophomore Tyler Smith (Leominster, Mass.) singled to left field, moved to second and third on a Halliwell walk and fielder's choice, while Ausiello connected a a two-run single the right field, scoring Smith and Halliwel.

The visitors pushed across another run in the top of the third with senior Zack Roberts (Northbridge, Mass.) singling to right center, advancing to third on a failed pickoff attempt and scoring on a sacrifice fly from freshman Nathan Thurber (Framingham, Mass.) to make the score 6-0.

Fitchburg State answered in the bottom of the third as senior Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) launched a solo shot over the left field fence to trim the lead to 6-1. Worcester State secured the victory in the top of the fifth, plating five runs for the 11-1 advantage.

The Green and Gold would score a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh when Eramo singled to left to score sophomore Joseph DiCrosta (Wallingford, Conn.), while senior Zachary Malek (Schenectady, N.Y.) added a run scoring single to left that plated junior Maxwell Kelly (E. Bridgewater, Mass.), resulting in the 15-3 final.

By The Numbers

• Eramo led the way for Fitchburg State, going 3-for-4 with a home run, one run scored and two RBI
• Sophomore Jacob Hurrell (Haverhill, Mass.) finished 2-for-3 with a double for the Green and Gold
• Sophomore Jason Bickford (Exeter, N.H) suffered the setback for Fitchburg State, giving up five runs on three hits and two punchouts
• For the Lancers, Ausiello hit 1-for-3 with three RBI
• Sophomore Jarret Morrill (Chelmsford, Mass.) picked up the win, allowing three runs on nine hits and five K's in the complete game effort

Game Two

Through eight innings of play, neither team was able to dent the scoreboard before Fitchburg State managed to load the bases in the bottom half of the ninth when DiCrosta opened the frame by being hit by a pitch, moved to second on walk from Hurrell, while Eramo was intentionally walk to load the bases.

With the bases full of Falcons, sophomore Liam Goldstein (Charlestown, R.I.) walked it off for the Green and Gold, drawing a walk to push across DiCrosta with the games only run, resulting in the 1-0, nine inning, game two final. 

By The Numbers

• Hurrell paced the Falcons, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI
• Sophomore Nolan Hills (Danvers, Mass.) hit 2-for-4 for the Green and Gold
• Freshman Sy Sullivan (Tigard, Ore.) collected the win for Fitchburg State, giving up just four hits and striking out three in five innings of relief
• For the Lancers, Halliwell hit 2-for-3
• Junior Nick Bousquet (Athol, Mass.) yielded five hits and two Ks over four innings pitched in a no decision for Worcester State
• 99th meeting between the Falcons and Lancers on the baseball diamond with Fitchburg State 38-61 all-time when taking on Worcester State

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Friday as they host the Trailblazers of MCLA for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 3:00M.