Falcons Sweep Plymouth State, 2-1/2-0

Gildea and Cyrus lead Falcons to first sweep over Plymouth State ever

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University softball team was in action this afternoon, defeating the Panthers of Plymouth State by the scores of 2-1 and 2-0 in a non-conference double header at the Donna-Lee Withington Memorial Softball Field as the Falcons earned its first sweep over the Panthers in the programs history.

Fitchburg State 2, Plymouth State 1 (Game 1)

Fitchburg State was led offensively by sophomore Katie Gildea, who went 2-for-2 at the dish with an RBI, while classmate Emily Comtois finished 2-for-3 in the contest with a pair of doubles. Junior Jessalynne Brown was also solid for the Green and Gold, adding a pair of hits in the opener.

For the Panthers, freshman Melissa Goss hit 1-for-3 with an RBI, while junior Rachel Morrissey added one hit and run scored. Sophomore Taylor Wood, classmate Abrie Davis and senior Julia Royer collect one hit each as well for Plymouth State.

In the circle, freshman Kaylee Sylvestre went the distance for the Falcons, allowing just one run on five hits with five strikeouts, while junior Callia Abbott took the loss for Plymouth State, giving up two runs (1 earned) on six hits and three K's.

Plymouth State took the lead in the top of the first as Morrissey singled to right, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on single by Royer and scored on a base hit off the bat of Goss for the 1-0 margin.

Fitchburg State knotted the score in the bottom of the second when Sylvestre reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a throwing miscue before crossing the plate later in the frame after freshman Michelle LeBlanc singled and forced a run down, allowing Sylvestre to score on the throw to make the score 1-1.

The Falcons broke the 1-1 stalemate in the bottom of the fourth as Comtois doubled down the left field line, while pinch runner Damari Grossi advanced to third on single by Brown and came in to the score on base knock from Gildea, resulting in the 2-1 final.

Fitchburg State 2, Plymouth State 0 (Game 2)

The night cap featured a pitching duel between junior Galen Kerr and senior Whitney Roberts Kerr spun a gem for the Falcons, pitching a complete game, five hitter with seven K's and just one walk to earn the win, while Roberts was equally as impressive, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits in 6.2 inning of work for Plymouth State.

With the score 0-0 going into the seventh, Plymouth State threatened in the top half of the stanza when junior Katie Kennard led off with an infield single, moved to second on a sacrifice and fielding miscue before junior Emma Rhodes dropped down a bunt to put runners on second and third with just one out.

The Falcons were able to work out of the jam however as senior Tori Cyrus threw out a runner at the plate on a fielder's choice, while Kerr induced an inning ending line out to second. Following a throwing miscue, a sacrifice and a ground out, Cyrus proceed to launch a two-out walk off home run over the left field fence to secure the 2-0 game two win for the Green and Gold.

Offensively for the Falcons, Gildea collected a pair of hits, while Cyrus hit 1-for-4, including a home run, one run scored and two RBI, while five different Plymouth State players posted hits for the visitors with Davis, Kennard, Rhodes, Goss and sophomore Nina Murray reaching via base hit.

Fitchburg State (13-9, 3-1 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it travels to MCLA  for a double header, starting at 12 p.m. Plymouth State (7-15, 0-4 LEC) will host the Colonials of Western Connecticut State on Saturday for a twin-billing, beginning at 12 p.m.

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