Fitchburg State Earns Split On Day Two

Falcons shutdown by Wheaton, 9-1; post 10-2 victory over Albion

Kissimmee, Fla. (March 11, 2013) – The Fitchburg State softball team posted a 1-1 split on day two of its Florida trip, falling to Wheaton College, 9-1 in game one before defeating Albion College, 10-2 in the nightcap.

Wheaton 9, Fitchburg State 1 (Game 1)

In game one, Wheaton College registered nine runs on ten hits, while the duo of junior Allison Baker (Orange, Conn./Amity Regional) and freshman Jillian Rocha (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton Rehoboth) limited the Falcons to just two walks en-route to the 9-1 victory

Wheaton grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning as junior Jenna Rocha (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) drew a base loaded two out walk to plate senior Megan Roy (N. Dighton, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth). The Lyons plated a pairs of runs in the fourth frame on an RBI double by Rocha and a run scoring single of the bat of freshman Emma Hart (Lincoln, R.I./Lincoln) to take a 3-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Wheaton plated three more runs on run scoring singles by Roy and Ashley Vertente (Fairhaven, Mass./Fairhaven) and a wild pitch en-route to a 9-1 victory. The Lyons took a perfect game into the final inning of play before junior Ashley Forgues (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) broke up the bid with a leadoff walk.

Je. Rocha led the Lyons attack, going 2-fo-3 with a double and four RBI, while Vertente went a perfect 2-for-2 with one RBI and a pair of runs scored. Fitchburg State was led by Forgues,, who drew one walk and scored the lone Falcon run, while newcomer Hailey Thibault (Swansea, Mass./Joseph Case) registered the other walk for the Fitchburg State.

Junior Kerry Alcott (Groton, Mass./Groton-Dunstable) suffered the loss for the Falcons, allowing nine runs on ten hits and six K's in the complete game effort, while Baker pitched five perfect innings before giving way to Ji. Rocha.

Fitchburg State 10, Albion 2 (Game 2)

In the nightcap, Fitchburg State posted ten runs on ten hits en-route to its first victory of the season.

For the Falcons, Forgues led the offensive charge with a 3-for-4 performance, including two singles and a double, while also driving in a pair of runs.  Freshman Marissa Gemma (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) and junior Marissa Binnall (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) were also solid, registering two hits apiece for Fitchburg State. Sophomore Nicole Romain (Macomb, Mich./Dakota)) paced the Briton offense, going 2-fior-4 at the dish, while freshman Sarah Bucholz (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) collected a pair of hits.

In the circle, sophomore Brittany Whiting (Sharon, Mass./Sharon) picked up her first victory of the year for the Falcons, allowing two runs on nine hits and two strikeouts over seven innings of work.

Fitchburg State (1-3, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it takes on Lakeland College at 3 p.m. and St. Norbert College at 5 p.m.