Baseball Clipped By Rams In Non-Conference Action

Koza launches first home run of the season for Green and Gold

Davenport, FL: The Fitchburg State baseball team dropped a 12-10 decision to the Rams of Suffolk University this evening in non-conference action from the Lake Myrtle Park at the RussMatt Invitational.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 3/14/24

- Score: Fitchburg State 10, Suffolk 12

- Records: Fitchburg State (4-7, 0-0 MASCAC), Suffolk (7-2, 0-0 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  Fitchburg State opened the scoring in the top of the first as senior Matthew Kelly (E. Bridgewater, MA) was hit by a pitch and scored on a two-run home run to left field off the bat of sophomore Adam Koza (Windham, NH) before junior Nolan Hills (Dracut, MA) and junior Matthew Smith (Flanders, NJ) followed with run scoring singles, while senior Maxwell Kelly (E. Bridgewater, MA) added an RBI fielders' choice for the 5-0 advantage.

- Suffolk cut the deficit to 5-1 in the bottom of the first, loading the bases on a single from senior Garret Roberts (Stratham, NH), a walk by junior Harry Painter (Essex, MA) and a fielding miscue before sophomore Sam Armbruster (Beverly, MA) drew a walk, plating Roberts. The Rams answered again in the bottom of the third with junior Adam Braid (Peabody, MA) driving in junior Max Iorio (Hull, MA) with a sacrifice fly, while newcomer Colin Flynn (Dorchester, MA) added an RBI single through the left side to make the score 5-3.

- Suffolk grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring six runs as Baird notched a sacrifice and a two-run double to left center off the bat of senior Jonny Gilbride (Beverly, MA) for the 10-5 margin. The Falcons answered back in the top of the sixth when junior Jacob Hurrell (Haverhill, MA) ripped a bases clearing triple to left center and freshman Benjamin Rewenko (Burlington, CT) drove in Hurrell with an RBI single up the middle to cut the lead to 10-9.

- The Green and Gold knotted the score at 10-10 in the top of the seventh as Mx Kelly doubled down the leftfield line, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a run scoring single to left by Mt Kelly. The Rams regained the lead in their half of the seventh with junior Max Martin (Walpole, MA) registering a two-run single to right field that brought home Iorio and Painter for the 12-10 edge.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  This evening's contest marked the 25th meeting between Fitchburg State and Suffolk on the baseball diamond with the Falcons 6-19 all-time when taking on the Rams

-  Matt Kelly led the way for the Falcons, going 3-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI

-  Hurrell added one hit, including a triple, two runs scored and three RBI

-  Freshman Shane Daly (Rockland, MA) allowed eight runs (4 earned) on four hits with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings of work in a n decision for Fitchburg State

-  For the Rams, Gilbride finished 1-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI

-  Flynn chipped in with two hits, one run scored and an RBI

-  Newcomer Patrick Desmond (Hampton, NH) collected the win for Suffolk, giving up one run on two hits and five K's over 2.2 innings of relief

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State returns to action tomorrow as they take on the Huskies of Southern Maine, starting at 3:15PM.

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