Baseball Comes Up Short to Buccaneers

BUZZARDS BAY, MA: Fitchburg State baseball lost by one run this afternoon in conference action to the Buccaneers of Mass Maritime.  

THE BASICS:

- Date: 4/5/24

- Score: Mass Maritime 6, Fitchburg 5

- Records: Mass Maritime (8-11, 1-3 MASCAC), Fitchburg (6-15, 1-3 MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

- The Falcons got on the board first in the opening frame on a solo blast to right field by Jacob Hurrell (Haverhill, MA). The Bucs responded in the bottom of the first with two of their own to take the lead. AJ Pietrafesa brought in one on a single to left, with a second coming in on a wild pitch. MMA would add one more in the bottom of the third, taking a 3-1 lead into the fifth.

- Fitchburg would knot it up at 3-3 on a big two-RBI double by Matthew Smith (Flanders, NJ). Maritime would bounce back again, regaining the lead on a double down the right field line by Michael Estrada plating one.

- The eighth was the last time either team scored. Fitchburg started it off by regaining the lead for the first time since the first inning. Joseph Abt (Newbury, MA) would bring in two on a double to right center field. The Bucs would rally back and retake the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Pietrafesa would bring in his second and third RBIs on a double to right field, giving the final 6-5.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Abt finished 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a double.

-  Smith finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a double.

-  Pietrafesa was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and a double.

- Justin Brown (W, 1-2) would get the win after throwing in 1.2 innings, surrendering 3 hits, 2 runs, and struck out 2. Brendan Baiardi got the save after pitching in the ninth inning, allowing just one walk.

- Justin Maheu (Windham, NH) got the loss (L, 1-2) after pitching in 4.1 innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs, and 2 strikeouts.

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State baseball will be back in action Sunday when they travel back to Mass Maritime to finish the three-game series. First pitch is set for 1 and 3:30 PM.

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