Falcons Swept By Bears In MASCAC Softball Action

Edged 11-8 in opener; Drop 9-0 decision in night cap  

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University softball team dropped a pair of Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) contest to the Bears of Bridgewater State, 11-8/9-0 this afternoon at Coolidge Park.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 8, Bridgewater State 11 (Gm 1)

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Bridgewater State 0 (Gm 2)

Records: Fitchburg State (9-13, 4-2 MASCAC) | Bridgewater State (10-14, 3-3 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Game one

Bridgewater State took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a miscue and an RBI single by freshman Alexandra Rupprecht (Kingston, Mass.) before the Falcons cut the deficit to 4-1 in the bottom of the third on ab RBI base hit from junior Michelle LeBlanc (Ashburnham, Mass.).

The Bear upped it advantage (9-1)) in the top of the fourth as junior Jenny Heller (Taunton, Mass.) laced a two-run single to right and Ruprecht connected on an RBI base hit to left center. The Falcons

Trailing 11-3 in the sixth, the Green and Gold pushed across five runs in the final two frames with sophomore McKenzie Lambert (Wilbraham, Mass.) ripping a two-run triple to left, while junior Melissa DiPhilippo (Norfolk, Mass.) and Leblanc added RBI's as well. But the Bears we able to limit hold on for the 11-8 game one final.

Game Two

Bridgewater State broke open a 0-0 stalemate in the top of the third on run scoring plays from sophomore Meaghan Navarro (Taunton, Mass.), Heller, newcomer Madison Synan (Quincy, Mass.) and junior Mackenzie Holt (Quincy, Mass.) to take a 5-0 margin.

The Bears secured the sweep, tacking on an insurance run in the top half of the fifth as Heller connected on an RBI single to center field to bring in junior Kacie Carvalho (Fairhaven, Mass.), resulting in the 9-0 game two final.

Inside the Numbers

73rd meeting between the two schools in softball with the Falcons currently 9-64-0 all-time when taking on the Bears.

Fitchburg State had won three of the previous four match ups with Bridgewater State, including securing its first ever sweep over the Bears, (7-6/8-7) at Alumni Park last season.

Fitchburg State was led offensively by Lambert, who hit 3-for-7 with two triples, three runs scored and three RBI, while sophomore Emma Campbell (Goffstown, N.H.) added three hits and one run scored.

For Bridgewater State, Heller finished 4-for-8 with a double, triple, five RBI and three runs scored, while Ruprecht posted four hits, including a double, two runs scored and three RBI.

In the circle, Campbell and freshman Taylor Colvin (Lancaster, Mass.) were solid for the Falcons, combining to allow five earned runs and six K's, while freshman Kaitlyn Shaw (Lakeville, Mass.) and sophomore Natalie Sorrenti (Bridgewater, Mass.) were impressive for the Bears, combining to allow just six earned runs on 16 hits with eight strikeouts in the two wins for the visitors.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Westfield State on Monday to take on the Owls for a MASCAC double header, starting at 12:00 PM. Bears will visit MCLA on the same day for a MASCAC twin-billing at 12:00 PM.