Bickford Throws Five Shutout Innings in Opening Day Win for Baseball

NORTHBOROUGH, MA: Fitchburg State baseball opened the 2024 season with a victory over the AMCATS of Anna Maria College in non-conference action.  

THE BASICS:

- Date: 2/25/24

- Score: Fitchburg 8, Anna Maria 6

- Records: Fitchburg (1-0), Anna Maria (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  The Falcons broke onto the scoreboard first in the fourth inning on a Joseph Abt (Newbury, MA) double that brought in one. They would extend their lead out to six with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by a Matthew Kelly (E. Bridgewater, MA) two-run single to left center and a two-run single to center by Abt. Fitchburg would score their final two in the sixth inning, with one coming across on a fielder's choice and the other on a Maxwell Kelly (E. Bridgewater, MA) double.  

- The AMCATS would eventually respond in the eighth and ninth innings, in which they plated three in each. Josh Batchelder would plate two of the three in the eighth on a pinch-hit double. The three runs in the ninth came on one swing of the bat by Tommy Sasso, who took the ball deep to left field.

- On the mound for the Falcons and getting the win was Jason Bickford (Exeter, NH). He tossed five scoreless innings on just two hits and three strikeouts. Joseph Hartnett (N. Attleboro, MA) would come on in the ninth to close it out by getting the last two outs, giving him the save. For the AMCATS, Michael Shorey would be tagged with the loss after surrendering six earned runs on seven hits and four strikeouts.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Abt topped the Falcons offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBIs

-  Matthew Kelly also hit in 3 runs today on a 1-for-5 afternoon.

-  Sasso finished 1-for-3 with 3 RBIs, a home run, and a run scored.

- Hits: Anna Maria 9, Fitchburg 8

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State baseball will return next Saturday when they travel to UMass-Dartmouth for a doubleheader starting at noon.

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