Falcons Drop A Pair On Day Two

Fitchburg State falls 8-0 to Calvin in game one; Suffer 5-1 setback to Plattsburgh State in nightcap

CLERMONT, Fla. – The Fitchburg State University softball team dropped a pair of games on the second day of their 2016 Florida Spring Trip this afternoon, falling 8-0 in six innings to Calvin College in the opening contest before dropping a 5-1 decision to the Cardinals of Plattsburgh State in game two.

Calvin 8, Fitchburg State 0 (6 Inn) (Game 1)

In game one, Calvin collected eight runs on 11 hits en-route to an 8-0 win over Fitchburg State University at the NTC Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.

Calvin opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when freshman Anna Gernant singled to left, advanced to second a base hit by senior Ashley Riemersma and scored on a bases loaded walk to newcomer Rachel Borden for the 1-0 margin.

The Knights upped its advantage (5-0) in the top of the fourth, plating four runs on four hits as Riemersma and sophomore Kimiko Hinatsu singled to open the frame and scored on a two run single by newcomer Maddie DeGroot before Borden knocked in DeGroot on fielder's choice.

Calvin added three runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach when DeGroot and Broden reached on a fielding miscue and a base hit before sophomore Jessica Brasser knocked in DeGroot, while senior Lydia Gildea drove in Broden, resulting in the 8-0 final.

Fitchburg State was led by junior Jessalynne Brown, who went 1-for-3 with double, while sophomore Jill Schultze and freshman Maddie Medina added one walk each for the Green and Gold.

For Calvin, DeGroot led the charge, going 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a stolen base and a pair of RBI, while Riemersma finished 3-for-4 at the dish with a pair of runs scored and one stolen base for the Knights.

In the circle, freshman Kaylee Sylvestre took the loss for the Falcons, allowing five runs on seven hits and one strikeout in four innings of work, while Gernant went the distance for Calvin, giving up just one hits with two walks allowed and ten K's en-route to her first collegiate win.

Plattsburgh State 5, Fitchburg State 1 (Game 2)

In the nightcap, Plattsburg State scored four of its five runs in the third inning, en-route to collecting a 5-1 victory over Fitchburg State in the second game on the afternoon for both schools at the NTC Springs Games in Clermont, Florida.

For Fitchburg State, K. LeBlanc went 1-for-2 with double, while Medina added to the mix with one hit, a run scored and one RBI for the Green and Gold. Freshman Kaitlyn Preiss led the way for the Cardinals, hitting 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and one steal, while sophomore Dominique Zummo finished 1-for-3, including a triple and three RBI.

On the mound, junior Galen Kerr took the loss for the Falcons, yielding four runs (3 earned) on three hits and two K's in 2.2 innings of work, while sophomore Katie Pitkin pick up the win for Plattsburgh State, allowing just one run on two hits and five strikeouts in the complete game effort.

Fitchburg State took a 1-0 margin in the top of the third stanza as Medina reached on bunt single, stole second, moved to third on an ensuing throwing error and scored on ground out by senior Marissa Gemma.

Plattsburg State responded with a four run inning in their half of the third when sophomore Amanda Tantillo reached on a fielding miscue and scored on run scoring single by Preiss. The Cardinals proceeded to load the bases as newcomer Anna Fisher walked and classmate Jennifer Groat singled before Zummo cleared the base with a three run triple to make the score 4-1.

The Cardinals added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth as Preiss singled, stole second, advanced to third on Fisher ground out and crossed the plate on fielder's choice from Groat, resulting in the 5-1 final.

Fitchburg State (1-3, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it takes on The College of New Jersey at 9 a.m. and Endicott at 11 a.m. on day three its Florida Spring Trip.

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