Three-Run Fifth Inning Propels Fitchburg State Past Lesley University, 6-2

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Freshman lefthander Evan Meleedy was dialed in for the Fitchburg State Falcons going eight complete innings while recording five punch-outs to silence the Lesley University bats and defeat the visiting Lynx by the final of 6-2 in the home opener at Riccards Field.

Meleedy finished the game allowing zero earned runs on seven hits and walking three opposing batters to even his overall record at 1-1.

For Lesley, junior J.P Agiorgousis, who received the loss, lasted just 1/3 of an inning allowing two earned runs on two walks and no hits before freshman Colin Reed came on in relief, tossing 3 1/3, allowing one earned run off three Fitchburg State hits. 

After a scoreless top of the first inning Fitchburg State took advantage of inconsistent pitching by picking up four walks and getting two runs across via passed balls as senior Brendan Cutler and junior Steven Drury Jr. each scored on a ball to the backstop (2-0). 

In the top half of the second, Lesley University picked up its third hit of the game and second of the inning as sophomore Justin Clark singled into right field. The ball would be misplayed by the rightfielder allowing the runners to advance and a few batters later that mistake came back to bite Fitchburg State as senior Casey Blanchard scored on a groundball to third base, pulling the visitors to within one (2-1). 

In the bottom half of the second inning Fitchburg State regained the run given up in the top half of the frame. After a successful double steal from the Green and Gold putting runners on second and third, Cutler's hard hit ball to the shortstop allowed sophomore Andrew Mooney to come in to score from third for the Falcons third run of the game (3-1). 

After a scoreless third inning from both teams the Lynx were the next to strike taking advantage of a defensive miscue in the top of the fourth by Fitchburg State as an error by senior second baseman Roel Fernandez with two outs in the inning enabled Clark to score from second base (3-2).

In the bottom of the fifth, Fitchburg State put the game out of reach scoring three runs in the inning off of three hits. Following singles from third baseman Riley Shea and catcher Sam Brown, the Falcons got their first of the inning when Fernandez singled home Shea with a line drive over the glove of the shortstop. The next batter, Mooney, delivered with a ground ball to the right side of the infield for an out but not before Brown scored from third. Fernandez would later score on a passed ball giving the hosts a four-run cushion (6-2). 

Meleedy cruised in his final three innings of work allowing just three hits and striking out three during that time before giving the ball over to sophomore Joe St. Hilaire in the ninth inning to close the door and give Fitchburg State the 6-2 victory over Lesley University. 

Senior second baseman Roel Fernandez led the offensive attack for the Green and Gold going 3-for-4 at the dish with three singles and driving in one. Four other Falcons contributed a hit in the team's victory. 

Sophomore Justin Clark and junior Mike Slaby each had 2-for-3 days at the plate for the Lynx with senior Casey Blanchard scoring a run and going 1-for-3 at the plate. 

Fitchburg State's defense was hit with three errors to give Lesley University three unearned runs.

The Falcons were aggresive on the basepaths stealing a total of seven bases in their victory against the Lynx. 

The hosts were able to out-hit the visitors 9-to-7. 

Fitchburg State (4-8) returns to Riccards Field on Saturday March 26^th for a doubleheader against Wentworth Institute of Technology starting at 12 P.M. 

Lesley University (3-8) opens New England Collegiate Conference play on March 25^th with a doubleheader against Newbury College starting at 3:30 P.M. 

Release courtesy of Fitchburg State Journalism student Kyle Prudhomme