Fitchburg State Falls to McDaniel, 12-6

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Fitchburg State University dropped an offensive affair with McDaniel College in Winter Haven, Florida at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational Tournament by the final score of 12-6. 

Antonio Rosanova led the Green Terror offensively as the sophomore notched a game-high four hits on a pair of doubles to go along with four RBI to help propel McDaniel. Senior centerfielder Sean Sivo added a pair of RBI on three hits and Nick Valori drove in two on two singles. 

Brad Thaxton tossed seven complete, earning the victory, while punching out five, with no walks, allowing three earned runs for his first win on the year. 

For Fitchburg State, sophomore Mitchell Clary went 3-for-4 including one double to lead the team offensively. Juniors Riley Shea and Nathan Littman had two hits apiece. Freshman shortstop Vianchi Pujols also contributed two base knocks driving in one and scoring one himself. 

Junior right-hander Tom Gammell threw five full innings for the Green and Gold holding the opposition to two earned runs while striking out a pair and allowing seven hits, but picked up the no-decision for his efforts. 

McDaniel got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Valori drove in his first of two RBI in the game plating senior Cameron Bahr with a single for the games first run. 

Fitchburg State quickly responded putting up four runs on five hits, and two Green Terror miscues defensively as sophomore centerfielder Drew Mazzeo reached on a fielder's choice allowing sophomore Riley Shea to score from third base and tie the game at one. 

Newcomer Pujols then took the lead for the Green and Gold driving in Mike St. John to go ahead 2-1. 

In the third inning McDaniel College executed a sacrifice bunt and Valori answered again for the Green Terror driving home Bahr from second base with a single to draw within two runs of the visitors (4-2). 

After the Falcons went down one-two-three in the top of the fourth the Green Terror evened the score at four apiece when a defensive error allowed shortstop Rosanova to score from first base before Bahr picked up his first hit of the game bringing home Marty Windisch from second base. 

In the top of the sixth Fitchburg State pulled ahead once again. Sophomore Clary opened the frame with a double and made his way around the bases to score the Falcons fifth run of the game following a throwing error by McDaniels.  A couple batters later with runners on the corners, Littman cashed in on the scoring opportunity with a sacrifice fly to centerfield for his one RBI on the contest (6-4). And what would be the teams final run of the ballgame. 

In the home-half of the seventh inning the Green Terror tacked on five runs to regain the lead as Rosanova's two RBI double in the gap highlighted the frame. The next inning the home team added three more runs following Rosanova's second two RBI double of the game, giving him a game-high four RBI to help secure the 12-6 victory over Fitchburg State. 

Sophomore Andrew Lessard picked up the loss for Fitchburg State after two innings of relief as McDaniel scored five off six hits. 

The Falcons were outhit 15-to-12 in their loss. 

Fitchburg State (3-4) looks to bounce back on Friday March 18^th with a doubleheader against Dickinson College. McDaniel College (10-1) takes on Utica for a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 9:30 A.M.

Release courtesy of Fitchburg State student journalist Kyle Prudhomme