Falcons Nipped By Bears In Conference Action

Max Kelly sets single season HBP program record

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University Baseball team suffered a tough 7-4 setback to the Bears of Bridgewater State this afternoon in (MASCAC) Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action from Riccards Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 4, Bridgewater State 7

Records: Fitchburg State (13-13, 4-7 MASCAC) I Bridgewater State (23-7, 9-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Bridgewater State grabbed a 2-0 edge in the top of the first as sophomore Scott Emerson (Peabody, Mass.) doubled to left and scored on an RBI single from junior Jay Wladkowski (Norwood, Mass.), while newcomer Dan Jasmin (East Longmeadow, Mass.) added an RBI base knock that scored junior Cam Janes (Ipswich, Mass.).

Fitchburg State knotted the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the second when sophomore Jacob Hurrell (Haverhill, Mass.) singled to right field before senior Zachary Malek (Schenectady, N.Y.) blasted a two run shot to left field.

The Falcons took the lead in the following frame with senior Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) reaching on a throwing miscue, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, while crossing the plate on a double steal attempt for the 3-2 margin.

The Green and Gold pushed the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth as junior Matthew Kelly (E. Bridgewater, Mass.) was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on Maxwell Kelly (E. Bridgewater, Mass.) hit by pitch, stole third and crossed the plate on a throwing error.

The Bears answered back in the top of the fifth when Emerson doubled to center field and scored on a two-run home run to left field by Wladkowski to tie the contest at 4-4. The visitors broke the 4-4 deadlock in the top of the ninth with Emerson and Wladkoski opening the frame with back to back singles before James brought in Emerson with an RBI base knock, while newcomer Joshua Selander (Granby, Conn.) registered a clutch two-run single, scoring James and senior Joey Molis (Cumberland, R.I.) resulting in the 7-4 final.

By The Numbers

• Max Kelly paced the Falcons, going 3-for-4
• Malek finished hit 1-for-4 with a home run, one run scored and two RBI for the Green and Gold
• Graduate student Lowell Pare (Leominster, Mass.) took the loss for Fitchburg State, allowing three runs on six hits with three K's in two innings of relief
• For the Bears, Wladkowski, finished 3-of-5 with a home run, one run scored and three RBI
• Freshman Trey Yesu (Monson, Mass.) picked up the win, giving up just one hit with two strikeouts in one inning of relief
• 97th meeting between the Falcons and Bears on the baseball diamond with Fitchburg State 30-67 all-time when taking on Bridgewater State
• Junior Maxwell Kelly set the Falcons single season record for HBP in a single season with 13, surpassing the previous mark of 12 held by former Falcon Matt Pingetore (2019)

Up Next

Falcons return to action tomorrow as they travel to Bridgewater State to take on Bears for a MASCAC twin bill, starting at 12:00PM.