Fitchburg State Clipped By New England College, 6-5

O'Flaherty collects pair of hits for Falcons in non-conference setback

RINDGE, N.H. – The Fitchburg State baseball team was in action this evening, dropping a tough 6-5 decision to the Pilgrims of New England College in non-conference action at Pappas Field on the campus of Franklin Pierce University. 

New England College took the lead in the top of first as senior Conor Crouse reached on a fielding miscue, moved to third on a single through the right side by freshman Stanley Vargas and scored on a groundout to second from sophomore Evan Delaney before Vargas crossed the plated on a double by senior Vincent Backert for the 2-0 margin.

Fitchburg State answered back in the bottom of the first when senior Nathan Littman tripled to open the frame and came around score following a sacrifice fly to right center from classmate Andrew Currie to make the score 2-1.

The Pilgrims upped its advantage (4-1) in the top of the fourth, loading the bases on walks by sophomore Jeam Castillo, freshman Aneury Lara and Crouse. Newcomer Luis Atiles then singled in sophomore Manuel Alejandro, while Vargas added a sacrifice fly later in the stanza.

The Falcons battled back, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the fourth when Currie reached on a hit by pitch, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored along with sophomore Brennan Cuddahy after a throwing miscue to make the score 4-3 .

Fitchburg State knotted the score (4-4) in the bottom of the fifth as freshman Brendan O'Flaherty singled t0 left center, moved to second on a wild pitch and crossed the plate after a single by Currie and a throwing miscue.

New England College regained the lead in the top of the sixth when Alejandro was hit by a pitch, moved to second and third on a throwing miscue and a sacrifice bunt and came around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Atiles for the 5-4 edge.

The Green and Gold retied the contest (5-5) in the bottom of the eighth as Currie drew a lead-off walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and crossed the plate following a fielding miscue, The Pilgrims proceeded to take the lead back in the top of the tenth when Alejandro walked, advanced to second on a sac bunt before pinch runner Justin Hopkins scored after a single by Crouse and a fielding miscue, resulting in the 6-5 final.

Fitchburg State was led by O'Flaherty, who went 3-for-4 with one run scored, while Currie added a base knock to go along with two runs scored and one run batted in. For New England College, Crouse hit 2-for-4 with one run scored, while Vargas chipped in with two hits, one run scored and an RBI. 

On the bump, senior Tom Gammell allowed five runs (2 Earned) on five hits in six innings of work in a no decision for the Falcons, while Backert got the start for the Pilgrims, allowing four runs (1 Earned) on four hits with 11 K's in seven innings of work in a no decision.

Fitchburg State (6-10, 0-0 MASCAC) returns to action tomorrow as it travels to WPI to take on the Engineers for a contest starting at 3:30 PM. New England College (6-7, 0-0 NAC) will take on the Trailblazers of MCLA tomorrow at Franklin Pierce University with a 7 p.m. start.