Falcons Edged By Vikings In MASCAC Action

Salem, Mass. - The Fitchburg State University baseball team suffered a tough 5-4 setback to the Vikings of Salem State University this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 4, Salem State 5

Records: Fitchburg State (3-19, 0-4 MASCAC) I Salem State (11-7, 3-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Salem State took a 3-0 advantage in the top of the first as sophomore Jake Boucher (Wallingford, Conn.) doubled to center field and newcomer Derek Angell (Whitinsville, Mass.) reached on a fielding miscue before senior Zach Piroh (Stratford, Conn.) launched a three-run homer to center field.

The Vikings upped their lead to 4-0 in the top of the third when Piroh double, moved to third on a doubled off the bat of sophomore Edward Field (Gloucester, Mass.) and crossed the plate as junior Christian Burt (Lynn, Mass.) singled through the left side.

Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 4-2 in the bottom of the third with senior Brendan Ferrell (Plymouth, Mass.) drawing a one-out walk and scored as graduate student Connor Morehouse (Wetherby Lake, Mo.) blasted a two-run shot to left.

The Falcons answered again in the bottom half of the seventh as Ferrell walked, stole second and scored on an RBI to right field from Morehouse to make the score 4-3. The Green and Gold continued battle, knotting the game at 4-4 in the following frame when senior Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) singled through the side and proceeded to come around on a run scoring double by junior Zachary Malek (Schenectady, N.Y.).

Salem State broke the 4-4 deadlock in the top of the ninth when junior Matthew Casare (No. Caldwell, N.J.) was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an RBI base knock by Boucher, resulting in the 5-4 final.

By The Numbers

• 108th meeting between the two squads on the diamond with the Falcons 22-86 against the Vikings
• Morehouse paced the Falcons offense, going 2-for-5 with a double, home run, one run scored and three RBI
• Eramo chipped in with a pair of hits and one run scored
• Freshman Orion Daily (Nantucket, Mass.) took the loss for Fitchburg State, allowing five runs (4 earned) on nine hits with four K's in the complete game effort
• For the Vikings, Piroh finished 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI
• Boucher collected the win for Salem State, pitching a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout

Up Next

Both teams return to action tomorrow as the Falcons travel to Salem State to take on the Vikings for a MASCAC twin bill, starting at 12:00 PM.