Falcons Edged By Engineers, 6-4 (11 Inn)

Bissanti collects three hits for Falcons in non-conference setback

Northboro, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University baseball team suffered a tough 6-4 setback in 11 innings to the Engineers of WPI this afternoon in non-conference action at the New England Baseball Comples.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 4, WPI 6 (11 inn)

Records: Fitchburg State (5-8-1) | WPI (8-10)

How It Happened

Down a run with one out in the bottom of the 11th, freshman Jordan DeDonato (Danvers, MA) doubled and moved to third on a single by junior Austin Lindner (W. Windsor, NJ), before both came home on junior Benjamin Chaffee (Franklin, Mass.) first collegiate homerun to give the Engineers a 6-4 victory.

Knotted at 3-3 going into the top of the 11th, Fitchburg State took the 4-3 lead behind a one-out RBI single by sophomore Joshua Macomber (Berkley, MA).

Falcon junior Andrew Curran (Leominster, MA) put the ball in play to begin a sequence that enabled sophomore Brennan Cuddahy (Leominster, MA) to cross home plate for the 1-0 advantage in the first. The Falcons added another in the second thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of Macomber.

WPI senior Evan Lacroix (Methuen, MA) tripled in a run before scampering home on a wild pitch to even the game in the third. Two innings later, junior Ryan Tropeano (Pembroke, MA) touched home on a passed ball for the 3-2 Engineer lead. FSU senior Andrew Currie (Quincy, MA) leveled the game with a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth.

Inside the Numbers

18th meeting between the two schools on the diamond with the Falcons currently 8-10-0 all-time when taking on the Engineers.

Engineers have won the last four contests with the Falcons, including a 6-5 decision last season at the New England Baseball Complex on March 30th.

Junior Alexander Bissanti (Franklin, MA) led the way with three hits followed by Macomber (double, 2 RBI) and Curran with two apiece. Currie stole a base, and was credited with a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly.

On the hill, FSU sophomore Richard Sharp (Townsend, MA) took a no decision, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and one walk and four strikeouts in eight innings of work, while senior Aidan Freeburg (Arlington, MA) picked up the win for WPI, giving up one earned run on two hits in one inning of relief.

WPI will be the road team versus Emerson in a NEWMAC crossover set Saturday at the NEBC. First pitch is set for noon. Fitchburg State begins MASCAC action Friday with two versus Mass Maritime at Haverhill High's Trinity Stadium beginning at 1pm.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Buccaneers of Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Friday at Haverhill High School for a MASCAC double-header starting at 1:00 PM. Engineers will travel to Emerson College on Saturday for a NEWMAC twin billing at 12:00 PM.

Release courtesy of WPI SID office