Falcons Split with Westfield State in MASCAC Doubleheader
Fitchburg State University split a Massachusetts State Collegiate Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader on Sunday against Westfield State University at Riccards Field. The Owls took the opener by a score of 9-0, while the Falcons took game two 3-2 in walk-off fashion.
With the win Fitchburg State goes to 12-17 (5-9 MASCAC), while earning a berth in the MASCAC Tournament after tying with Bridgewater State for the #6 spot and winning the tiebreaker. Westfield State improves to 19-12, while finishing conference play with a 6-8 mark.
GAME ONE
Westfield State got to starting pitcher Connor Collett early as the away side tacked on three runs in the first inning, including a two RBI single by Connor Sheri that scored Danny Dimatt and Tim Santili.
The Owls added two runs in the fourth inning on a Jeremy Tangu double that scored Kyle Murphy and a single that found the gap in left center by Evan Moorhou that brought home Tangu.
Four additional runs in the top of the seventh would extend the visitors lead to the final score of 9-0.
Collett suffered the loss on the bump and falls to 2-2 on the campaign, throwing five innings with one strikeout. His counterpart Nate Barnes threw a complete-game shutout, yielding just two hits with three k's.
GAME TWO
Westfield State broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning as Dan McCormack scored on an error by the first baseman, who earlier reached base on a single to left field, then moved into scoring position on a base on balls for Pat McWilliams.
The Falcons chipped away at the deficit in the bottom of the fourth when Clayton Beaulieu singled past the shortstop that scored Brendan Cutler. The following at-bats Fitchburg State would bring the game to a 2-2 deadlock when Donald Geloso hit a double to center field, scoring Steve McFadden from second.
It would be Geloso again who would come up big in the bottom of the seventh with a liner to shallow right field that scored the pinch-runner Jake Dallaire from second to seal the come from behind walk-off victory.
Nik Powers went the distance to pick up his second win of the season, throwing all seven innings with one earned run and four strikeouts. David Manning threw 4.1 innings in the no-decision with two earned runs and four k's, while Pete Limatainen suffered the loss for Westfield State in 1.1 innings of relief.
Both teams await final word from the conference office on the tournament seeding's for the upcoming MASCAC Tournament that will begin on Thursday.