Softball Collects Split With Bulldogs In Non-Conference Action

Sousa and Mueller lift Green & Gold to game two victory

Franklin, MA. – The Fitchburg State University softball team salvaged a split with the Bulldogs of Dean College in non-conference action this afternoon from the Longley Athletic Complex as the Falcons dropped a tough 10-9 decision in the opener before collecting an 11-1 victory in the night cap.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 9, Dean 10 (GM1)

Score: Fitchburg State 11, Dean 1 (GM 2) (4inn)

Records: Fitchburg State (2-10, 0-0 MASCAC) I Dean (4-5, 0-0 GNAC)

How It Happened

Game One

Fitchburg State opened the scoring in the top of first inning as junior Adria McKenzie (Lowell, MA) singled and newcomer Paige Konopka (Middlefield, CT) walked before freshman Kaleigh Papierski (Webster, MA) collected an RBI base know to drive in McKenzie, while newcomer Priscilla Dillon (Glennville, GA) followed with a RBI single that scored Konopka for the 2-0 advantage.

The Falcons upped the lead in the top of the third when Konopka reached on a fielding miscue and crossed the plate on an RBI double off the bat of sophomore Jessica Mueller (Fitchburg, MA) to make the score 3-0.

Dean knotted the score at 3-3 in the bottom of third with junior Leah Chamberlain (Burlington, VT) notching a run scoring single that scored sophomore Emily Kilpatrick (Marion, MA) before junior Liana Silva (New Britain, CT) brought in classmate Sydnee Ramos (New Bedford, MA) with a sacrifice fly and senior Alyssa Ribarovski (Sydney, AUS) followed with an RBI single to score newcomer Natalie Hayes (Brewster, NY).

The Green and Gold regained the lead in the top of the fourth as newcomer Lauren Ahearn (Danvers, MA) walked, moved to second on a base hit from Brodeur, while Konopka brought in Ahearn and Brodeur, while Mueller laced a run scoring double to left to drive in Konopka for the 6-3 edge.

The Bulldogs retied the contest (6-6) in their half of the fourth when Kilpatrick singled, Chamberlain was hit by a pitch and Silva walked, while senior Katie Splaine (Tyngsboro, MA) connected on a bases clearing double. Fitchburg State took the lead back in the top of sixth as Mueller singled to left and came around to cross the plate on an RBI double by Papierski for the 7-6 margin.

Trailing 8-7, the Falcons answered back in the top of the seventh with Ahearn doubling to centerfield and scoring on an RBI single from Brodeur before McKenzie ripped a double to centerfield that plated Brodeur for the 9-8 margin. Dean rallied back in their final at bat, scoring two runs when Silva blasted a two-run double to left to drive in Ramos and freshman Katrina Lee (Brookline, NH), resulting in the 10-9 final

Inside the Number

• Mueller led the way for the Falcons in game one, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, one run scored and two RBI
• Papierski went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI for the Green and Gold
• Junior Madison Solt (Salem, NH) took the loss for the Falcons, allowing ten runs (9 earned) on 11 hits and eight strikeouts over six innings pitched
• For the Bulldogs, Splaine hit 2-of-3 with a double and four RBI
• Sophomore Bryce DeGasparre (Attleboro, MA) collected the win for Dean, giving up nine runs on 15 hits in the complete game effort

Game Two

Fitchburg State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of first when McKenzie singled and crossed the plate on a fielding miscue. Dean tied the contest at 1-1 in the bottom of the first as Kilpatrick tripled and later scored on a Ramos RBI base knock.

The Falcons regained the lead in the following frame, scoring seven runs on seven runs on seven hits with Brodeur, McKenzie, Papierski and senior Mackenzie Leveille (Brooklyn, CT) registering RBI's, while Mueller added a two-run double to make the score 8-1.

The Green and Gold secured the victory in the top of the fourth when Konopka singled, moved to second on a walk from Papierski, stole third and scored on a an RBI single to left field by Mueller before senior Isabella Sousa (Charlton, MA) laced a two-run double to right center, scoring Mueller and Papierski, resulting in the 11-1 final.

Inside the Number

• Fifth meeting between Fitchburg State and Dean on the softball field with the Falcons 4-1 all-time when taking on the Bulldogs
• Sousa led the way the Falcons in game two, hitting a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, one run scored and two RBI
• Mueller added two hits, including a double, two runs scored and three RBI
• Leveille earned the win for Fitchburg State, yielding one run on four hits and two K's over three innings pitched
• For the Bulldogs, Ramos finished 1-for-2 with an RBI
• Senior Jessica Stewart (Banks, OR)  suffered the setback for Dean, giving up eight runs (7 earned) on seven hits and two strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they host the Raiders of Rivier University for a non-conference twin bill, starting at 12:00PM.

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