Fitchburg Downs Anna Maria, 17-9

Falcons total 18 hits in eighth victory of the season

FITCHBURG, Mass. (March 26, 2009) - Sophomore Chris Smart (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) recorded a 4-for-6 performance and three runs scored as Fitchburg State rallied for a 17-9 non-conference victory over Anna Maria College this afternoon. 

Smart paced the Fitchburg State 18-hit attack with four base-hits, while senior Aaron Granahan (Thomaston, Conn./Thomaston) finished 3-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and two RBI. Sophomore John Phelan (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) was also solid in the Falcons victory, hitting 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and one RBI, while senior Kris Breen (Griswold, Conn./Griswold) added a game-high five RBI.

Junior JK Vaughn (Simsbury, Conn./Northwest Catholic) led the Anna Maria offense with a 4-for-5 day, including a double and three runs scored, while freshman Jeff Scafidi (Worcester, Mass./Burncoat) connected for a three-run homerun. Sophomore Jeff Kodys (Holden, Mass./Wachusett) and classmate Alex Roycewicz (Oxford, Mass./Oxford) were also solid with three hits apiece.

Anna Maria jumped out to an early 6-2 lead after three innings of play, but Fitchburg State responded with six runs in the bottom of the fifth frame to get back on top with an 8-6 lead. Senior John Davison (Stoneham, Mass./Stoneham) did most of the damage for the Falcons with a two RBI double, while junior Matt Morrison (Beverly, Mass./Bishop Fenwick) plated two with an RBI single.

In the sixth, Fitchburg State put up more crooked numbers, crossing the plate eight times to grab a 16-6 advantage. Phelan ignited the Falcons fury with a lead-off single down the right field line, while Granahan and senior Andy Sauer (Willington, Conn./E.O. Smith) followed with consecutive hits. Breen continued the Falcons rally with an RBI single that plated two, while sophomore Eric DiMauro (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro) added an RBI.

Fitchburg State senior Jake Barbarotta (Pittsfield, Mass./Pittsfield) earned his second victory of the season (2-0) with 4.0 solid innings of relief. The veteran southpaw yielded only six hits and one earned run over 16 batters faced. Junior Pete Labelle (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) suffered the loss for the Amcats (0-3), allowing four runs (zero earned) in 0.1 innings pitched.

Fitchburg State (8-4, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it opens its MASCAC schedule against Westfield State at 12 p.m. Anna Maria (5-11-1, 1-3 TCCC) will host Gordon College on Saturday at 12 p.m.

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