Fitchburg State Earns Spilt On Day One Of Florida Spring Trip

Falcons suffer 7-1 setback to Smith in game one; Down Trinity 4-1in game two to earn spilt in 2016 season opener

CLERMONT, Fla. – The Fitchburg State softball team opened the 2016 season with a split on day one of their Florida spring trip. The Falcons dropped a 7-1 decision to Smith College in the first game of the day before rebounding with a 4-1 victory against the Bantams of Trinity College in the night cap to earn the spilt.

Smith 7, Fitchburg State 1 (Game 1)

In game one, Smith College plated seven runs on ten hits en-route to defeating Fitchburg State University, 7-1 in the 2016 season opener for both team at the NTC Spring Games in Clermont, Florida.

Fitchburg State's offense was led by sophomore Emily Comtois, who finished 2-for-3 at the dish with double, while senior Tori Cyrus and classmate Marissa Gemma combined for two hits, including a double and one RBI.

Freshman Emma Kraus paced the Pioneers offense, going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, one run scored and an RBI, while sophomore Brittney Blokker and junior Rowan Turner added two hits and one run scored each for Smith.

In the circle, junior Galen Kerr took the loss for the Falcons, yielding seven runs (4 earned) on ten hits with three strikeouts in seven innings of work, while Turner picked up the win for Smith, allowing just one run on five hits (4 K's) in the complete game effort.

The Pioneers jumper out to an early 3-0 lead after three innings of play as Blokker opened the top of the second with a single to right center, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Kraus single to right field before senior Joanna Giordano crossed the plated on a balk and junior Allison Snyder scored following a fielding miscue.

Fitchburg State boke its scoring silence in the bottom half of the third when Cyrus led off with double down the left field line, advance to third on a sacrifice bunt from newcomer Michelle LeBlanc and scored on a RBI by Gemma to make the score 3-1.

Smith put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth though, plating four runs on three hits. Turner started the inning on single through the left side, moved to second on base hit off the bat of Kraus before freshman Lydia DeAngelo plated Turner on single to center, while Turner came around to score on a sacrifice fly to left of the bat of junior Natalie Burchat, resulting in the 7-1 final.

Fitchburg State 4, Trinity (CT) 1 (Game 2)

In the nightcap, Fitchburg State rebounded, scoring four runs on eight hits en-route to a 4-1 victory over Trinity (CT) College to earn a spilt on day one of their Florida Spring Trip to open its 2016 season.

Fitchburg State scored all four of its runs in the top of the second inning. Freshman Hayley McCarthy started the inning off with walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice by senior Brianna Uga and scored on base hit off the bat of Gemma.

Following a run scoring single by newcomer Maddie Medina that plated junior Kelsea LeBlanc, Comtois delivered with a clutch two run base knock that scored both Medina and Gemma to make the score 4-0.

Trinity broke up the shutout in their final at bat as newcomer Courtney Erickson laced a leadoff triple to right field and crossed the plate on a one out sacrifice fly to center from senior Erica Quinones, resulting in the 4-1 final.

Comtois continued the hot hitting for Fitchburg State, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a walk, while sophomore Katie Gildea added to mix with a pair of hits and one walk. Gemma and Medina were also solid of the Falcons, combining for two this, two runs scored and a pair of RBI's.

For the Bantams, Quinones led the way with a triple and one run scored, while senior Elizabeth McQuaid collected the other hit for Trinity.

On the mound, freshman hurler Kaylee Sylvestre spun a gem for the Falcons, tossing a complete game two-hitter with one run allowed and nine strikeouts to earn her first collegiate victory in her collegiate debut, while sophomore Rachael Smith took the loss for Trinity, giving up four runs on eight hits (3 K's) in seven innings of work.

Fitchburg State (1-1, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it battles Calvin College at 9 a.m. and Plattsburgh State at 11 a.m. on day two of its Florida Spring Trip.

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