Fitchburg State Soars Past Mass, Maritime, 8-0/17-0

Gemma and Alcott lead Falcons to pair of MASCAC victories

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April, 12, 2014) – The Fitchburg State softball team was in action this afternoon earning a season sweep over Mass. Maritime Academy in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Coolidge Park, The Falcons downed Mass. Maritime, 8-0 in game one before completing the sweep with a 17-0 game two victory.

Fitchburg State 8, Mass Maritime 0 (Game 1)

In the first game of the day, Fitchburg State scored six runs in the first three innings of play, en-route to an 8-0 game one victory to improve to 10-9 on the season, while Mass. Maritime fell to 0-9.

The Fitchburg State offense was led by sophomore Marissa Gemma (Leominster, Mass.), who finished a perfect 2-for-2 with a double, triple, one run scored and an RBI, while junior Colleen Flaherty (Stoughton, Mass.) aided the offense with a pair of singles, one RBI, two steals and a trio of runs scored.

The Falcons opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning as senior Ashley Forgues (Fitchburg, Mass.) led off the frame with single to right field, moved to second on a passed ball and crossed the plate on an RBI triple to left field by Gemma.

The Green and Gold upped its lead in the following frame when Flaherty walked to start the inning, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch before junior Marissa Binnall (Fitchburg, Mass.) drove in freshman Terri Ferrazzani (N. Reading, Mass.) with an RBI groundout for the 3-0 advantage.

Fitchburg State secured its tenth victory of the season, scoring three runs in the third stanza (6-0) as Gemma led off with a walk and eventually came around to score on ground out to third base from newcomer Jessalynne Brown (Malden, Mass.), while junior Amanda Whitelaw (Flemington, N.J.) scored on a passed ball and wild pitch en-route to the 8-0 final.

On the mound, Ferrazzani picked up the victory, giving up just one hit and nine K's in the complete game effort for the Falcons, while sophomore Cassie Swanson (Quincy, Mass.) suffered the setback, giving up eight runs on eight hits in four and a third innings for Mass. Maritime Academy

Fitchburg State 17, Mass. Maritime 0 (Game 2)

In the nightcap, Fitchburg State erupted for 17 runs on 16 hits in the 17-0 game two victory to complete the season sweep.

In the circle, Fitchburg State received an outstanding performance from senior hurler Kerry Alcott (Groton, Mass.). The second year Falcon tossed a no-hitter, allowing just one walk and striking out a career best 13 in five innings of work, while freshman Cassidy Nice (Carver, Mass.) took the loss for the Buccaneers, yielding nine runs on six hits.

Fitchburg State jumped out to an early lead in the first inning of play, highlighted by a pair of two-run hits from Brown and sophomore Judith Valentin (Brockton, Mass.), while freshman Courtney Borysewicz (Quaker Hill, Conn.) knock in two runs as well with a triple to right center for the 9-0 margin.

The Falcons upped its lead in the bottom of the third as Valentin reached on a fielding miscue, advanced to third on a double down the left field line off the bat of freshman Kelsea LeBlanc (Attleboro, Mass.) before Borysewicz laced a single into center field to score Valentin and LeBlanc for the 11-0 advantage.

The hosts capped their scoring in the fourth inning, registering six runs on eight hits as Gemma, Flaherty, sophomore Brianna Uga (Everett, Mass.) and Brown all connected on RBI singles, resulting in the 17-0 final.

Gemma continued her hot hitting, batting 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored, while Borysewicz aided the offense, going 3-for-3, including a triple, six RBI and pair of runs scored. Brown was also solid, adding a 2-for-4 performance at the dish with a double, one run scored and three RBI.

Fitchburg State (11-9, 5-1 MASCAC) returns to action on Monday as it visits the Lancers of Worcester State University for a double header starting at 5 p.m. Mass. Maritime (0-8, 0-6 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State University for a twin billing on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.