Worcester State Nips Fitchburg State, 3-2/3-1

Falcons suffer 3-2 setback in game one, drop 3-1 decision in the nightcap

WORCESTER, Mass. (April, 14, 2014) – The Fitchburg State softball team was in action this evening, dropping a pair of game to Worcester State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Rockwood Park, The Falcons were edged 3-2 in the opening contest before falling 3-1 in game two.

Worcester State 3, Fitchburg State 2 (Game 1) 

In game one, Worcester State rallied to score three runs over the final three innings of play, en-route to the 3-2 victory.

Fitchburg State took the lead in the opening frame as senior Ashley Forgues (Fitchburg, Mass.) singled up the middle, advanced to second on single off the bat of sophomore Marissa Gemma (Leominster, Mass.) and scored on double to center by sophomore Tori Cyrus (Everett, Mass.) before newcomer Jessalynne Brown (Malden, Mass.) plated Gemma with single through the left side for the 2-0 margin.

The Falcons threatened in the top of the fifth inning as they proceed to load the bases with two outs in the stanza on a walk by Gemma and pair of singles from Cyrus and freshman Courtney Borysewicz (Quaker Hill, Conn.) but Worcester State starter Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, Mass.) induced a fly out to get out of the jam unscathed.

Worcester State knotted the (2-2) in the bottom half of the fifth when sophomore Jillian Witkowski (Leicester, Mass.) single, advanced to third on a triple to right center by freshman Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, R.I.), while newcomer Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, Conn.) connected on a two-run single to score both Witkowski and Salisbury.

The hosts secured the victory in its final at-bat as senior Hillary Hart (Clinton, Mass.) hit a double into the right centerfield gap before crossing the plate for the game-winning run on an RBI single to left off the bat off Wikowski, resulting in the 3-2 final.

The Lancers offense was led Humphrey, who went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and two RBI, while Witkowski finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. For Fitchburg State, Cyrus hit 2-for-4, including a double and one run batted in, while Gemma and Forgues added a pair of hits and one run scored each. 

In the circle, Rich earned the win, allowing two earned runs on nine hits (4 K's) in the complete game effort for Worcester State, while junior Brittany Whiting (Sharon, Mass.) took the loss, giving up three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts for the Falcons.

Worcester State 3, Fitchburg State 1 (Game 2) 

In the nightcap, Worcester State collected three runs on six hits in the 3-1 game two victory to complete the sweep.

Junior Marissa Binnall (Fitchburg, Mass.) paced the Falcons game two offense with a pair of singles and an RBI, while Fogures, Gemma and Brown each added one hit. Worcester State was led offensively by freshman Mackenzie Crumley (Fall River, Mass.) collected two hits, including a double and two RBI, while Witkowski continued her strong hitting, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base.

On the mound, senior Kerry Alcott (Groton, Mass.) took the loss, yielding three runs (two earned) on six hits in the complete game effort for Fitchburg State, while Humphrey picked up the win, allowing one unearned run on six hits for the Lancers.

Following a scoreless first inning, Worcester State grabbed the lead in the bottom of the second inning as senior Katie Storro (Leominster, Mass.) drew a two-out walk, moved third on throwing miscue and scored on an RBI double to left by Crumley for the 1-0 advantage.

The Lancers upped their margin in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, Mass.) laced a base hit up the middle and scored on a double to right center by Storro before Crumley drove in Storro with single to left for the 3-0 lead.

Fitchburg State rallied in the top of the seventh as sophomore Colleen Flaherty (Stoughton Mass.) reached on a throwing error, advanced third on base hit from junior Katelyn Fitzgerald (Fitchburg, Mass.) and scored on a run scoring single Binnall, resulting in 3-1 final.

Fitchburg State (11-11, 5-3 MASCAC) returns to action on Thursday as it visits the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College for a double header starting at 3 p.m. Worcester State (9-12, 7-1  MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State on Friday for a twin billing, starting at 3 p.m.