FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Worcester State University baseball team lost two games to Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opponents, Fitchburg State, in a Monday afternoon doubleheader at Riccards Field.
In game one, the Falcons outlasted the opposition, taking a 10-7 decision in a 25-hit offensive performance from the teams. In game two, solid defense from both sides kept the score locked at four into extras before the Green & Gold earned their second walk-off win in, in as many days.
GAME ONE: Fitchburg State 10, Worcester State 7
Senior right hander Tyler Smith (New Milford, Conn.) got the start in the first contest after starting in game one against Westfield State 24 hours prior, earning his sixth victory following 4.1 innings allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Fitchburg State took their first lead in the bottom of the third with two outs after senior Nathan Littman (Abington, Mass.) and junior Andrew Mooney (Framingham, Mass.) each worked walks, junior Sean Maki (Fitchburg, Mass.) drove them in with a double into left center (2-1).
The Lancers responded in the top half of the fourth with a three-run inning as a defensive miscue set the tone for the scoring. Designated hitter Adam Barry (Auburn, Mass.) delivered the final blow of the frame, singling to bring in Ben Palatino (Hudson, Mass.) from third.
Fitchburg State matched their opponent in the home half of the inning with RBI singles coming from the bats of first baseman Mike St. John (Rehoboth, Mass.), centerfielder Drew Mazzeo (Leicester, Mass.), and Littman (5-4).
Smith and right-hander Benjamin Chiasson (Maynard, Mass.) split the top of the fifth, combining to pitch a scoreless frame while scattering one hit and stranding a pair on base. In the bottom of the inning, the Falcons scored another trio of runs with Mazzeo punching his second RBI single into centerfield for the second run of the frame. Freshman Joshua Macomber (Berkley, Mass.) concluded the scoring with a single to left field, plating Mazzeo (8-4).
Worcester State, still trailing by four, got a quick jolt in the top of the sixth when Palatino and senior Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.) reached on singles before scoring when Mike Ferrara (Easton, Mass.) belted his second home run of the season over the scoreboard in left (8-7).
In the top of the sixth, Fitchburg State tacked on a pair of insurance runs as Mooney got to second on a base hit and fielding miscue and later scored following a ground out and throwing miscue before designated hitter Brennan Cuddahy (Leominster, Mass.) scored his second consecutive run following a passed ball, resulting in the 10-7 game one final as Chiasson closed the door in the top of seventh to pick up his second save on the year.
In game one, sophomore Noah Milliard (Leominster, Mass.) finished 2-for-4 with one run scored and a pair of doubles, while Mazzeo and Maki added a pair of RBI each for the Falcons. For the Lancers, Ryan and Barry combined for four hits, two runs scored and one RBI, while Ferrara chipped in with a 1-for-4 effort at the dish, including a home run, one run scored and three RBI.
GAME TWO: Fitchburg State 5, Worcester State 4
For the second straight day, Macomber was mauled by his teammates in shallow right field after delivering an extra-innings walk-off single in MASCAC action. With the bases loaded, the first-year Falcon laced a single to the opposite field to bring classmate Brandon Lefebvre (Leominster, Mass.) home from third and seal the sweep of Worcester State.
The Lancers got out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first as Falcons' starter Mooney was touched up for three runs on two hits and a walk - the two hits being RBI triples coming from Ryan and Barry.
After adding another run in the top of the second, Worcester State quickly had a 4-0 advantage. But in the bottom of the third, sacrifice flies from Milliard and St. John bookended a run scoring single from Cuddahy to cut the lead to just one (4-3).
In the bottom half of the fourth, the Green and Gold tied the score at four apiece when Milliard came through for his second RBI of game two, driving home Macomber on a single down the right field line to force extra innings.
In the top of the eighth, Worcester State threatened as Mike Powers (Weymouth, Mass.) reached on a two-out single, but was unable to move up any further as Falcon reliever Jack Gallant (Hammond Plains, N.S.) got the next batter to in the fly out to right field, setting the stages for Macomber's walk-off single.
The Falcons proceeded to load the bases in the bottom of the eighth when Lefebvre drew a leadoff walk. After consecutive bunt singles from Mazzeo and newcomer Timothy Horton (Northampton, Mass.), Macomber ripped a single into right center, resulting in the 5-4 game two final.
In game two, Horton and Macomber anchored the Falcons offense at the bottom of the order each finishing with two hits, while combining for three runs scored as well. Worcester State was paced by Barry and Ryan who both went 2-for-4 with triple.
Fitchburg State (14-17, 7-5 MASCAC) heads into the final stretch of the regular season, hosting Rhode Island College on April 27th at 3:30 p.m. Worcester State (12-18, 5-7 MASCAC) will take-on Clark University on April 26th at 2 p.m.
Release courtesy of Fitchburg State student journalist Kyle Prudhomme