Springfield Slips Past Fitchburg State, 3-2

Alexander leads Falcon ten hit attack with 2-for-4 performance

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April 12, 2010) - The Fitchburg State baseball team suffered a tough non-conference setback to Springfield College this afternoon, falling to the Pride, 3-2 at Riccards Field.

Junior Dave Alexander (Torrington, Conn./Torrington) led the Fitchburg State ten-hit attack, going 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI, while sophomore Andrew Foster (E. Bridgewater, Mass./E. Bridgewater) turned in a 2-for-4 day with a single, a double and a walk.

Sophomore Mike Corletta (Westtown, N.Y./Minisink Valley) sparked Springfield’s offense throughout the day, finishing 2-for-4 with a pair of single and one RBI, while freshman Matt Milano (Cumberland, R.I./Cumberland) added a double, one run batted in and one run scored.  

Fitchburg State opened the contest with a single run in the bottom of the first inning as Alexander singled home junior John Phelan (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) for an early 1-0 lead, but Springfield bounced back throughout the middle of the contest, grabbing a 3-1 lead after five innings of play. Milano sparked the Pride’s two-run fourth with a RBI double to right-center, while Corletta capped Springfield’s one-run fifth frame with a RBI base-knock.

After being held at bay for seven straight innings, the Falcons broke their scoring silence in the bottom of the eighth, plating a single run on three hits. Alexander struck again, starting the Fitchburg State rally with a two-out double to right field before sophomore Michal Mercier (Townsend, Mass./Saint Bernards) rifled a RBI base-knock up the middle.

The Falcons rallied ended their however as Springfield senior Ryan White (Colchester, Conn./Bacon Academy) closed out the eighth inning with a fly out to right field. White earned the victory on the hill for the Pride (3-1), going eight strong innings with four K’s before giving way to Brian Harris (E. Hartford, Conn./E. Hartford) who collected his second save of the season.

Senior Nick Ryan (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) suffered the loss for the Falcons, falling to 1-1 on the season with 4.2 innings of work. The veteran southpaw yielded three runs on eight hits while fanning a pair. Junior Steve Donah (Feeding Hills, Mass./Agawam) was strong in relief for the Falcons, holding the Pride scoreless for 4.1 innings.

Fitchburg State (8-9, 1-3 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it hosts Rivier College starting at 3:30 p.m. Springfield (11-14, 3-6 NEWMAC) will host MIT tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

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Springfield 3, Fitchburg State 2