Fitchburg State Sweeps Becker

Falcons take game one 11-3; post shutout 17-0 in game two

FITCHBURG, Mass. (March 21, 2009) - The Fitchburg State softball team posted a two-game sweep over Becker College in non-conference action this afternoon. The Falcons took game one 11-3 before posting a 17-0 victory in the nightcap.

Fitchburg State 11, Becker 3 (6 innings)

LEIGH TRZCINSKI

In game one, Fitchburg State tallied 11 hits as junior Leigh Trzcinski (Worcester, Mass./South) and freshman Ashley McKinnon (Raynham, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) combined for six hits and five doubles. Trzcinski finished the day 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored and two RBI, while McKinnon went a perfect 3-for-3 with three doubles and two runs scored. Senior Eryne Cotter (Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames)  was also solid, going 2-for-4 and driving in two.

Junior Amanda Fogaren (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury) led the Becker offensive attack with a 2-for-3 performance, while freshman Jessica Lewis (Bellingham, Mass./Tri County) hit a perfect 2-for-2 with a double.

Fitchburg State broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the third inning, taking advantage of two Becker errors to plate two runs. The Falcons continued to pump the offense in the bottom of the fourth frame, posting five runs on five hits to take an 8-2 lead. McKinnon led the Falcon charge with a double, while Cotter and Trzcinski notched RBI base-hits.

Rookie pitcher Allison Cousins (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) earned her first collegiate victory (1-4) for the Falcons, tossing a complete game, six innings. Cousins yielded three runs on seven hits in the contest, while striking out seven and walking two. Lewis (0-1) took the loss in the circle for Becker tossing a complete game 5.2 innings. Lewis allowed 11 runs on 11 hits, while walking six and striking out five.

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Fitchburg State 17, Becker 0 (5 innings) 

BETHANY STONE

In game two, Fitchburg State received a solid pitching effort from sophomore pitcher Bethany Stone (Wells, Maine/Wells) as the Falcons posted a 17-0 shutout over the Hawks. Stone hurled a complete game two-hit shutout in five innings of work, while striking out three.

Leading the Fitchburg State offensive attack was the duo of Trzcinski and Cotter, as the two combined for six hits, including two doubles and a triple and seven RBI. Trzcinski paved the way for the Falcons, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and five RBI, while Cotter connected for two doubles and two RBI. Sophomore Lauren Donell (Ayer, Mass./Ayer) chipped in with three hits while driving in one. Sophomore Felicia Laufer (Salem, CT/E. Lyme) led Becker with one base knock.

Fitchburg State opened the contest with an early 4-0 lead in the first inning lead as Trzcinski belted an RBI triple to plate two. The Falcons continued its momentum in the third frame, exploding for five runs, before securing their third victory of the season with a seven run fourth.

Sophomore hurler Kristin Cammuso (Rutland, Mass./Wachusett) took the loss for Becker, allowing ten runs on six hits in 3.0 innings of work. The second year slinger walked only two, while striking out a pair.

Fitchburg State (3-7, 0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again Tuesday as it travels to UMass Dartmouth at 3 p.m. Becker (0-2, 0-0 NECC) will return to action tomorrow as they host Green Mountain College for a double header at 1 p.m.

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