Falcons Rally Past Owls, 9-4

Alzate picks up first collegiate win for Fitchburg State in non-conference victory

Keene, N.H. – The Fitchburg State University baseball team defeated the Owls of Keene State College, 9-4 in non-conference action this afternoon at the Owl Athletic Complex.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 9, Keene State 4

Records: Fitchburg State (7-10-2) | Keene State (10-9)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first as senior Sean Maki (Fitchburg, Mass.) connected on a two run single to plate juniors Noah Milliard (Leominster, Mass.) and Alexander Bissanti (Franklin, Mass.), while sophomore Joshua Macomber (Berkley, Mass.) added a run scoring base knock.

Keene State cut the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the second when senior Abe Grainger (Bedford, Mass.) doubled to center field in bring home juniors Mac Struthers (Stratford, N.H.) and David Sevigny (Rocky Hill, Conn.) before taking a 4-3 edge in the bottom of the fourth on RBI doubles by Grainger and junior Nate Rossi (Hampstead, N.H.).

The Falcons regained the lead for good in the following frame (5-4) as sophomore Brennan Cuddahy (Leominster, Mass.) blasted his second home run of the season to right center. The Green and Gold tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the eighth with Maki diving in senior Andrew Currie (Quincy, Mass.), while Cuddahy laced an RBI single to center that scored freshman Nicholas Cordeau (Melrose, Mass.), resulting in the 9-4 final.

Inside the Numbers

Cuddahy led the way for the Falcons, going 3-for-4 with a double, home run, one run scored and four RBI, while Currie and Maki combined for four hits and three runs scored.

The Owls were paced by Grainger, who hit a perfect 4-for-4, including two doubles, one run scored and three RBI, while Struthers finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

On the mound, sophomore Austin Alzate (Narragansett, R.I.) collected his first collegiate win for Fitchburg State, giving up just three hits with two K's in three innings of scoreless relief, while newcomer Ryan Silwinski (Sherborn, Mass.) took the loss for Keene State, allowing two runs on three hits and four strikeouts in 4.1 innings oitched.

23rd meeting between the two schools on the baseball diamond with the Falcons currently 10-13-0 all-time when taking on the Owls.

Keene State has won four of the last five contests against Fitchburg State with the Falcons registering a 10-2 victory in the last matchup (4/13/16) on the road as former Falcon Javier Lozada led the way with three hits, including a home run, two runs scored and three RBI.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Rhode Island College on Thursday to take on the Anchormen for a non-conference bout at 3:30 PM. Owls will host the Pride of Springfield College on the same day for a non-conference tilt, starting at 3:30 PM.