Falcons Have Pop In 2015
FITCHBURG -- The past two years has seen the Fitchburg State softball team utilize small ball to great effect, the bunt fueling the Falcons' success. This year, expect the Green and Gold to keep playing small ball -- but they may drop bombs, too.
Courtesy of Sean Sweeney, Sentinel & Enterprise
FITCHBURG -- The past two years has seen the Fitchburg State softball team utilize small ball to great effect, the bunt fueling the Falcons' success.
College softball
This year, expect the Green and Gold to keep playing small ball -- but they may drop bombs, too.
The Falcons, picked fourth in the MASCAC preseason poll, have added some power to their lineup as they begin the 2015 spring in Clermont, Fla.
"The past two years we've played that as our game; we didn't have a lot of power hitters," said Falcons third-year head coach Merry MacDonald. "We have a couple new freshmen, Emily Comtois and Gia Ferreira, which gives us more strong hitters. We have a much stronger lineup. We'll keep small ball in the mix; it moves people around and puts the ball in play and makes the other team make mistakes. Now we have power hitters to drive in runs when we get them in scoring position."
Fitchburg State will be led by a solid core of returners. Gone are pitcher Kerry Alcott -- though she remains with the team as the pitching coach -- and Fitchburg native Ashley Forgues at second base. Back are a pair of locals in Leominster's Marissa Gemma at shortstop and Fitchburg's Marissa Binnall in left.
"(Gemma) was all-conference last year," said MacDonald. "She hit a team high of .340 and I believe led the team in doubles, so she is a solid returner. It's great to have someone at the key position of shortstop to lead the infield.
She's been doing a good job.
"(Binnall)'s been a true leader for me. She's been a three-year captain. She's been a great asset for us as our starting left fielder."
Pitchers Brittany Whiting and Terri Ferrazzani return to anchor the circle. Whiting performed well when Alcott needed a touch of rest, and Ferrazzani pitched well in relief as she made the transition from high school to college softball.
Galen Kerr of Concord, who transferred in from Wheaton, joins the pitching staff.
"(Kerr)'s going to be a good addition to the mix, so we have a three-woman staff. Three solid pitchers will help us down the road," MacDonald said.
Also joining the team is local product Jill Schultze of Winchendon, who starred at shortstop for St. Bernard's.
"She played field hockey during the fall, so she joined us during January," MacDonald said. "She's definitely a good addition; the past two years, I haven't had a backup shortstop for Marissa Gemma. So having Jill there, playing either second or short, is going to help us down the road.
"We have a very versatile team, a deep team. We have two players at every position, if not three. So that gives us the room to find the right combinations."
Gemma will either be paired with Katie Gildea, a transfer from Merrimack, or Kelsea LeBlanc at second base. LeBlanc played behind Forgues.
"She saw limited time last year and is looking for more innings," MacDonald said. "We've also worked her in the outfield, as well.
"Defense is our strong suit. Offensively, it's the difference-maker in terms of playing time. We'll see who's hot with the bat. I like having that depth and versatility."
Fitchburg State opened the season with a Sunday doubleheader in Florida, and will play two games each day the rest of this week before returning north. The Falcons will travel to WPI a week from Tuesday to start the cold portion of the season.
Fitchburg State will play its home games at Coolidge Park.