Falcons Drop 13-0 Decision To Seahawks In Season Opener

Newport, R.I. - The Fitchburg State University baseball team dropped a 10-0 decision to the Seahawks of Salve Regina University this afternoon in non-conference action from Reynolds Field in the 2020 season opener for both teams.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Salve Regina 13

Records: Fitchburg State (0-1) I Salve Regina (1-0)

How It Happened

Salve Regina grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as freshman Tyler Cannoe (Schenectady, N.Y.) singled home junior Madden Ward (Clinton, Conn.) with a base hit to center field, while junior Anthony Cieszko (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.) added an RBI ground out two batters later.

The Seahawks upped their margin (4-0) in the bottom half of the third when Cannoe singled to right, moved to second and third on a hit by pitch and walk before crossing the plate on a base hit to center off the bat of  junior Michael DeFusco (East Greenwich, R.I.).

Fitchburg State threatened in the top of the fifth with senior Matthew Pingitore (Rutland, Mass.) reached on a dropped third strike before advancing to third on a single to right center from classmate Joshua Macomber (Berkley, Mass.), but Salve Regina pitcher Patrick Maybach (Saunderstown, R.I.) got out of the inning unscathed by notching a strikeout to end the frame.

Salve Regina secured the victory in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs on four hits as senior Dylan Ketch (Clinton, Conn.) drove in classmate Zach Barlok (Cheshire, Conn.) with an RBI fielder's choice, while newcomer Justice Welch (Hackensack, N.J.) ripped a grand slam over the right field fence for his first collegiate home run, resulting in the 12-0 final.

By The Numbers

• Eighth meeting between the two teams with the Falcons 4-4 vs the Seahawks
• Macomber led the way for the Falcons, going 1-for-3
• Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) added one walk and a stolen base for Fitchburg State
• Welch finished 1-for-1 with a home run, four RBI and a run scored for the Seahawks
• Ward went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and three RBI for Salve Regina
• Matthew Ambrosino (Bradenton, Fla.) took the loss for Fitchburg State, allowing five runs (3 earned) on six hits with five K's in four innings of work
• Maybach earned the win for Salve Regina, giving up just one hit with nine strikeouts over five innings of work.

Up Next

Falcons will take on the Lyons of Wheaton College on Tuesday for a non-conference tilt at the New England Baseball Complex, starting at 4:00 PM. Seahawks will travel to Arcadia on Friday to take on the Knights for a non-conference matchup, starting at 3:00 PM.