Fitchburg State Suffers Tough 3-2 Extra Innings Setback To Mass. Maritime

Mooney goes 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI for Falcons in MASCAC second round setback

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. - Fitchburg State senior Javier Lozada recorded nine complete innings, striking out seven, but received the no-decision as Mass Maritime plated the winning run in the bottom of the 10^th inning to take the first game of the double-elimination Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) four team tournament at Hendry Field.  

Lozada found himself equally matched by his opponent as senior southpaw Kevin Kwedor allowed two runs through 7.2 innings on the bump while surrendering three hits and receiving the no-decision for the Buccaneers.

Mass Maritime jumped ahead in the bottom of the second after three consecutive singles from Cobie Gerbis, Kevin Troy, and Greg Downs set-up a bases loaded situation for freshman Riley Fusaro.  Fusaro hit a grounder to the shortstop that allowed Gerbis to score the game's first run from third-base.  

The Buccaneers doubled their lead in the bottom of the fifth as Kennedy opened the frame with a lead-off single and got moved up to second base by a sacrifice bunt from senior Everett Walsh. With two-outs in the inning junior Jake Petruzzelli cashed-in on the runner in scoring position, serving a RBI single out to left center to score Kennedy from second (2-0).  

In the top of the eighth inning the Falcons were finally able to get to lefty Kwedor as pinch-hitter Sam Brown came off the bench to draw a walk and centerfielder Drew Mazzeo did the same before Brown and Mazzeo advanced 90 feet with a passed ball, allowing sophomore Andrew Mooney to deliver a timely single into left field, bringing both runners into score to tie the game (2-2).

The Falcons threatened to take the lead in the next inning, but Mass Maritime relief pitcher Kyle Kennedy was able to escape a pressure filled situation, forcing three consecutive ground-outs to strand the go-ahead runner at third base.

Lozada went onto retire the Mass. Maritime hitters one-two-three in the bottom of the ninth - ending his day with two earned runs off seven hits. In the bottom of the tenth the Buccaneers took advantage of the new arm out the pen as Walsh doubled into left center as the first hitter faced for junior relief pitcher Andrew Lessard.

After intentionally walking MASCAC Player of the Year, Logan Sullo, it was Petruzzelli's single to the short-stop and the proceeding miscue that allowed Walsh to score the decisive run, putting the Buccaneers in the tournament's winners bracket.

Mooney led the Falcons offensively going 2-for-4 at the plate while driving in the team's only runs of the ballgame, while sophomore Andrew Currie added a hit for the Green and Gold. Mass. Maritime had three players with multi-hit games as Connor Kennedy joined Petruzzelli and Gerbis with two hits apiece with Walsh and Gerbis adding one double each.

Lessard took the loss for the Falcons, allowing one run, while scattering two hits after entering the game in the bottom of the tenth, while K. Kennedy picked up the win for the Buccaneers, going 2.1 innings of relief without yielding a hits and striking out two.

Fitchburg State (18-19) will take on fourth-seeded Westfield State in the elimination round at Salem State University with first-pitch slated for 9:30 A.M. Fitchburg State split the season series with Westfield State, winning game one 5-2 before dropping the second of the twin-bill 10-5 on 4/23.

For Mass. Maritime (21-13) the win marks the first ever tournament victory, setting up a matchup with top-seeded Salem State for a contest starting at 12:30 P.M. The two teams split the season series. 

Release courtesy of Fitchburg State student journalist Kyle Prudhomme