Fitchburg State Collects Split Vs. Framingham State

Falcons fall 13-5 in game one; rebound to earn 7-5 victory in nightcap

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April, 6, 2013) – The Fitchburg State softball team was in action this afternoon registering a 1-1 split with Framingham State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Coolidge Park, The Falcons dropped a 13-5 decision in the opening contest before posting a 7-5 victory in 12 innings in the second game to earn the spilt.

Framingham State 13, Fitchburg State 5 (Game 1)

In game one, Framingham State rallied to score ten runs over the final two innings of play en-route to the 13-5 game one victory.

Framingham State was paced by freshman Tiffanie Marsh (Tewksbury, Mass.), going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, three runs scored and an RBI, while sophomore Helen Falzone (Ashland, Mass.) collected three hits, including a double, four RBI and a run scored.

The Falcons were led by senior Ashley Forgues (Fitchburg, Mass.), who finished 2-for-3 at the dish with an RBI, stolen base and one run scored, while freshman Courtney Borysewicz (Quaker Hill, Conn.) collected a home run, one run scored and a pair of RBI.

Framingham State opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning as senior Andrea Smith (Milford, Mass.) hit a two run single to right center to plate Marsh and Falzone before sophomore Kourtney Kacian (Gardner, Mass.) singled in a run for the 3-0 lead.

The Falcons took the lead in the top of third frame when sophomore Brianna Uga (Everett, Mass.) reached on fielding error, moved to third on an infield single by Forgues and crossed the plated on an RBI base hit from sophomore Marissa Gemma (Leominster, Mass.), while Borysewicz connected for her first collegiate home run to right field to score Gemma for the 4-3 advantage.

Fitchburg State upped its margin in the following inning as newcomer Jessalynne Brown (Malden, Mass.) singled to left field to open the stanza, advanced to second and third on a walk and fly out before scoring on base knock by Forgues for the 5-3 lead.

The Rams secured their eighth victory of season, scoring scoring six runs in fifth inning (9-5), keyed by a two single off the bat of junior Tiffany Agostini (Rehoboth, Mass.) and a bases clearing three-run double to right field from Falzone, en-route to the 13-5 final.

In the circle, junior Brittany Whiting (Sharon, Mass.) took the loss for the Falcons, allowing 12 runs on 15 hits with three K's, while senior Alyssa Begin (Salem, Mass.) earned the win, giving up five runs (2 earned) on eight hits in the complete game effort.

Fitchburg State 7, Framingham State 5 (12 Innings) (Game 2) 

In the nightcap, Fitchburg State rebounded, registering seven runs on nine hits in the 7-5 game two 12 inning victory to earn the season spilt with Framingham State. 

Senior Kerry Alcott (Groton, Mass.) went the distance for Fitchburg State, yielding five runs (3 earned) on ten hits with 12 punch outs to earn the win, while counterpart Andrea Smith (Milford, Mass.) suffered the setback for the Rams, allowing seven runs (5 earned) on nine hits and three K's.

Fitchburg State grabbed the lead in the first inning as Forgues and Gemma opened the contest with back-to-back walks, moved to second and third on a groundout before Borysewicz knock in Forgues and Gemma scored on a wild pitch for the 2-0 margin.

The Falcons upped their advantage in the top of the third frame when junior Amanda Whitelaw (Flemington, N.J.) laced a single to left field, stole second and crossed the plate on an RBI single up the middle by junior Marissa Binnall (Fitchburg, Mass.) for the 3-0 lead.

Framingham State knotted the score (3-3) in the bottom half of the third as freshman Danielle Belliveau (Lakeville, Mass.) collected an RBI single to score Begin, while Agostini and junior Shelby Phillips (Taunton, Mass.) each added run scoring base hits in the inning.

In the 12th inning, the Green and Gold broke a 3-3 stalemate when Forgues plated pinch–runner Kelsea LeBlanc (Attleboro, Mass.) with an RBI bunt fielder's choice before Gemma blasted a two-run double into centerfield and sophomore Tori Cyrus (Everett, Mass.) drove in Gemma with single to right center.

The hosts battled back in their half of the stanza as Begin reached on a fielding error to score newcomer Mackenzie Williams (N. Andover, Mass.), who had been placed on second via the international tie breaker rule, while Marsh proceed to triple home Begin, resulting in the 7-5 final.

Gemma paced the Falcons game two offense with a double, two runs scored and pair of RBI, while Cyrus added a pair of hits and one RBI. Brown and Binnall were also solid for the visitor, combining for four hits and an RBI.

For Framingham State, Marsh continued her hot hitting, going 2-for-5 with a triple, one run scored and an RBI, while Agositini and Phillips registered two hits and an RBI each for the Rams.

Fitchburg State (9-9, 3-1 MASCAC) returns to action next Saturday as it hosts the Buccaneers of Mass Maritime Academy for a double header starting at 12 p.m. Framingham State (8-12, 1-3  MASCAC) will travel to Mount Ida College on Tuesday for a twin billing starting at 3 p.m.