Fitchburg State Falls Twice In Season-Opener

Falcons drop to Defiance, 12-2; suffer 8-6 setback to Sage

Kissimmee, Fla. (March 10, 2013) – The Fitchburg State softball team opened its 2013 season this afternoon falling to both Defiance (12-2) and Sage (8-6) at the Osceola County Softball Complex in Kissimmee, Florida.

Defiance 12, Fitchburg State 2 (Game 1) 

In the opening contest, Defiance College collected 16 hits en-route to a 12-2 game one victory.

Senior Katie Miller (Archibold, Ohio/Archibold) led the Lady Jackets, going 2-for-2 with a grand slam and four RBI while classmate Brittany Shough (DeGraff, Ohio/Riverside) collected three singles.

The Falcons were paced offensively by sophomore Amanda Whitelaw (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) who notched a pair of singles, while junior Ashley Forgues (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) went 1-for-2 at the dish with a stolen base and one RBI. Junior Marissa Binnall (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) drove in the other run for Fitchburg State.

Sophomore Brittany Whiting (Sharon, Mass./Sharon) suffered the loss for the Falcons, yielding 12 runs with 16 hits allowed over five innings pitched, while junior Kailea Holbrook (Defiance, Ohio/Westerville North) earned the win for Defiance, allowing two runs, three hits and pair of strikeouts.

Sage 8, Fitchburg State 6 (Game 2)

In the second contest of the day, Fitchburg State connected for six runs on six hits, but Sage College was able to hold off the Falcons 8-6.

Forgues led the Falcons with a pair of singles and three steals, while freshman Marissa Gemma (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) added a 2-for-4 effort at the plate including a double and one RBI. Whitelaw and Binnall aided the Fitchburg State offense, combining for two base hits with one double and two walks. Senior Kelsey Newberg (New Britain, Conn./New Britain) went 2-for-3 with walk to lead the Gators offense, while sophomore Kristen Beikirch (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) added a pair of base hits.

Junior Kerry Alcott (Groton, Mass./Groton-Dunstable) hurled the complete game for the Falcons, allowing eight runs on nine hits, while striking out six.

Fitchburg State (0-2, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it battles Wheaton College at 1 p.m. and Albion College at 3 p.m.