Falcons Swept by Panthers in Non-Conference Action

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University baseball team dropped a doubleheader to the Panthers of Plymouth State University on Saturday afternoon at Riccards Field. The Panthers took game one 7-2, and the nightcap 12-3 after the game was called with one out in the top of the seventh inning due to unplayable field conditions.

The Basics

Score (Game 1): Fitchburg State 2, Plymouth State 7
Score (Game 2): Fitchburg State 3, Plymouth State 12
Records: Fitchburg State (2-14) | Plymouth State (7-8)

How It Happened - Game 1

The Falcons scored the first run of the game when senior Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) knocked in Connor Morehouse (Wetherby Lake, MO) with a single to left field. Morehouse was in scoring position after a single up the middle and advancing to second on a wild pitch.

The Panthers battered around the lineup in the top of the fourth inning to forge ahead 5-1. Sophomore Luke Sokolski (Waterford, Conn.) and senior Bryan McGrath (Franklin, Mass.) opened the frame with back-to-back doubles to even the score at 1-1. With runners on second and third, junior Griffin Crane (Lancaster, NH) delivered a single, scoring both Panthers to extend the lead.

Fitchburg State added a run (5-2) in the bottom of the frame with a sacrifice fly from junior Zachary Malek (Schenectady, NY) scoring Morehouse from third base.

Plymouth State would tag on single runs in the fifth and sixth innings en route to the 7-2 final.

Inside the Numbers - Game 1

• Trey Parker (Lebanon, NH) pitched a seven-inning complete game for the Panthers for the win. The junior allowed two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and 2 walks.

• Richard Sharp (Townsend, Mass.) allowed four earned runs on five hits with four K's in the loss for the Falcons.

How It Happened - Game 2

The Panthers jumped on the board in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded Crane delivered a double to right field scoring teammates Owen Baum (Saint Michaels. Md.) and Peter Laviolette (Longboat Key, Fla.) for the early 5-0 lead.

Trailing 10-0, the Falcons added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Morehouse singled up the middle to open the inning and Eramo drew the walk to put runners on first and second. The next batter Malek singled to left-center to score Morehouse. Two batters later Eramo came home on a sacrifice fly from Jaime Velez (Lowell, Mass.).

Sophomore Christopher Masta (Peabody, Mass.) delivered an RBI single to left field for the Green and Gold to cut the deficit to 10-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning. However, the Panthers would add two more runs in the top of the seventh off a 2 RBI single from Nick Cote (Londonderry, NH) just before the game was called due to unplayable field conditions. 

Inside the Numbers - Game 2

• Freshman Jason Smith (Charlestown, Mass.) posted his second win of the season for the Panthers, going six innings allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits and a walk

• Senior Brendan Ferrell (Plymouth, Mass.) took the loss for the Falcons allowing six earned runs over 3.2 innings.

Up Next

The Falcons will host Colby-Sawyer next Thursday at 3:30 PM