Fitchburg State Rallies Past Brandeis, 9-7

Falcons use a pair of four run innings to earn tenth victory of the season

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April 2, 2009) - Sophomore John Phelan (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) belted an RBI single to pace Fitchburg State's four run eighth inning as the Falcon rallied past Brandeis University, 9-7 in non-conference action this afternoon. 

Phelan led a Fitchburg State 11-hit attack, posting a 3-for-4 performance with a double, one run scored and two RBI, while classmate Ricky Graham (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) finished 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Senior Kris Breen (Griswold, Conn./Griswold) and sophomore Brian Ware (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) each added a double for the Falcons.

Junior John O'Brion (Portland, Maine/Portland) led the Brandeis offensive charge, going 2-for-4 with a homerun (1), two runs scored and two RBI, while freshman Jon Chu (Hollis Hill, N.Y./Bronx High) registered a double, a walk and one run scored. Senior Nick Gallagher (Southboro, Mass./St. John's) was also strong, finishing 1-for-3 with a run and one RBI.

Fitchburg State came out firing, posting four runs on four hits in the top half of the first inning, but Brandeis responded with six runs over the next five innings to grab a 6-5 lead. Graham led the Falcons first inning explosion with an RBI double to center, while O'Brion propelled the Judges three-run fifth with a two-run blast to left.

Brandeis' lead was short-lived as Fitchburg State touched for four runs in the top half of the seventh to secure its tenth victory of the season. Breen and Graham kick-started the inning with back-to-back doubles, while Phelan ripped an RBI single down the right-field line to plate two.

Freshman Tyler Kendrick (Montague, Mass./Smith Academy) earned the victory in relief for the Falcons (2-1), tossing two shutout innings of relief without allowing a hit. Senior Jake Barbarotta (Pittsfield, Mass./Pittsfield) picked up the save for the Falcons with two innings of work. Sophomore Pat Nicholson (E. Walpole, Mass./Walpole) suffered the loss for the Judges, allowing nine runs (five earned) and 11 hits in 6.2 innings on the hill.

Fitchburg State (10-6, 0-2 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it travels to Salem State College at 12 p.m. Brandeis (10-12, 2-4 UAA) will host Clark University on Saturday at 12 p.m.

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