Fitchburg State Rallies Past Lynx, 5-2
Fitchburg State University (7-5) defeated Lesley University (6-12) 5-2 in a non-conference baseball contest on Thursday night at Auburn High School.
AUBURN, Mass. – Fitchburg State University (7-5) defeated Lesley University (6-12) 5-2 in a non-conference baseball contest on Thursday night at Auburn High School. Junior designated hitter Steven Drury Jr. went 2-5 with three RBI and a two-run homer in the winning effort.
The Falcons got on the board early in the bottom of the first inning when Drury Jr. hit a single up the middle that scored Steve McFadden from second, who earlier got into scoring position on a stolen base after reaching on a fielder's choice.
In the third inning Drury Jr. added to the Green & Gold's lead (3-0) with a blast to center field that cleared the wall for his first home run of the season. Fitchburg state added a run in the fourth and fifth inning respectively to extend their advantage to 5-0.
Lesley would cut the deficit to 5-2 while adding their only runs of the contest in the top of the sixth inning. Mike Slaby led the inning off with a single to right field, then came around to score on a double that found the gap in right center by David Hersey. Adam Ciampi grounded out the second baseman that plated Hersey to score the Lynx second run of the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth inning Lesley stranded two runners in scoring position as Javier Lozada struck out the side to preserve the 5-2 victory and record his fourth save of the year.
Andrew Mooney threw three innings while getting the start and recorded three strikeouts, while Tyler Smith earned the win in three innings of relief. Giving up seven hits total, the FSU pitching staff stranded 14 runners on base to hold on for the teams second straight win in as many days.
Matt O'Donnell suffered the loss for the Lynx, yielding four earned runs over six innings with five strikeouts.
Fitchburg State will kick off Massachusetts State Collegiate Conference (MASCAC) play tomorrow as they travel to Massachusetts Maritime Academy for a doubleheader. First pitch scheduled for 2:00pm. Lesley will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday, April 7 as they host Eastern Nazarene for a doubleheader starting at 3:30 pm.