Falcons Split with Framingham State in MASCAC Twinbill
Fitchburg State University (8-7, 1-2 MASCAC) settled for a split in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Conference (MASCAC) baseball doubleheader against Framingham State University (12-6, 3-1 MASCAC) on Saturday afternoon at Victory Field.
WATERTOWN, Mass. - Fitchburg State University (8-7, 1-2 MASCAC) settled for a split in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Conference (MASCAC) baseball doubleheader against Framingham State University (12-6, 3-1 MASCAC) on Saturday afternoon at Victory Field. The Rams edged past the Green & Gold in the opener 1-0 in extra-innings, while the Falcons took the nightcap 2-0.
GAME ONE
Despite another impressive complete game outing by senior Ryan Magni, the senior fell short in the pitchers dual, 1-0 in extra-innings. The West Springfield native yielded just three hits with a season-high 11 strikeouts, while carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning.
After reaching on a leadoff double to right field to start off the eighth inning, RJ Gray would come around to score the winning run on a ground rule double to the gap in right center by Jordan Pallazola.
Fitchburg State nearly got on the board in the bottom of the seventh with the winning run 90 feet away in Clayton Beaulieu, but Zachary Kirby got Roel Fernandez to ground out to second to get out of the jam and preserve the scoreless tie.
Kirby picked up the victory on the bump throwing a complete game shutout with nine strikeouts, while giving up just four hits on the day.
GAME TWO
Pierce Hans double in the bottom of the fifth inning would result in the only two runs Fitchburg State needed, as the Falcons received a complete game shutout from Kyle Cutler for the 2-0 win in the second game of the doubleheader.
After Fernandez singled to left field and moved Donald Geloso into scoring position, Hans found the gap in left center for the bases clearing double to give Fitchburg State the 2-0 advantage.
The Rams threatened with a comeback attempt in the top of the seventh with two consecutive singles by Gray and John Gill, but K. Cutler finished the game with his 11th strikeout of the night, getting Pallazola looking.
Hans finished the game going 2-4 with two RBI, while K. Cutler improved to 3-0 on the year giving up just five hits and no walks.
Dillon Corliss suffered the loss for Framingham State despite throwing six innings of six hit ball with one earned run and two strikeouts.
The Falcons will be back on the diamond on Tuesday, April 7 as they travel to University of Massachusetts Dartmouth at 3:30 pm. Framingham State will host University of Massachusetts Boston on Monday, April 6 at New England Baseball Complex at 7:00 pm.