Worcester, MA --- Fisher junior Sammy Alejandro (East Hartford, CT) scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning after tying the game on an RBI triple to help the Falcons defeat Worcester State, 4-2, in non-conference baseball action this afternoon at Kevin Lyons Baseball Diamond.
With the Lancers ahead 2-1 in the top of the ninth inning, senior Kyle St. Thomas (Bridgewater, MA) looked to complete his final home contest on the bump. Flirting with a high pitch count, St. Thomas was able to retire the first two batters of the inning.
However, after hitting freshman Dominic Zaher (Chelmsford, MA) with a pitch, Alejandro connected on a 2-2 count and drove it into the left-center gap for a triple that plated Zaher and tied the game.
Alejandro came across home plate on the following play after a miscue by the third baseman giving the Falcons the 3-2 edge. Two batters later, sophomore Eridani Dume (Boston, MA) hit a double down the line in left to score first-year Luis Pagan (New Haven, CT) pushing the lead to 4-2.
WSU (13-24) tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth after the first two batters, junior Nick Bonofiglio (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) and freshman Michael Ivas (Princeton, MA), both reached on free passes. Fisher sophomore Victor Lebron (Union City, NJ) was able to put the walks behind him as he retired the next three batters to claim the triumph.
After three scoreless innings to begin the contest, Fisher (21-27) was able to grab the lead in the top of the fourth inning. The Falcons successfully executed a double steal with runners on first and third as junior Donald Rosario (Haverhill, MA) beat the throw towards home plate to grab the 1-0 lead.
The margin was short-lived when the Lancers gained the 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth frame on a junior Kurt Sabacinski (Worcester, MA/St. Peter Marian) single up the middle to score Ivas and freshman Jeff Bolio (Oxford, MA).
In the top of the sixth inning, Fisher looked to tie the game after sophomore Davidson Peguero (Boston, MA) hit a one-out three-batter into left-center. But the Falcons could not capitalize on the next at-bat, as WSU freshman David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) made a great play to grab the grounder and fired a laser to beat the runner to home.
The score remained at 2-1 in favor of WSU until the Falcons rally in the final inning.
In his sixth appearance this season, Lebron picked up his first victory (1-0) as he pitched four and 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. He allowed two hits, a pair of walks and had one punch-out.
Falcons freshman Alex Fowler (Bel Alton, MD) was credited with the no decision as he went four and 2/3 frames. Fowler scatted seven hits and allowed two earned runs while issuing no free passes.
St. Thomas (1-1) surrendered four hits, three runs (two earned), walked a pair and struck out four in his 8 2/3 innings.
Junior Joe Piscitelli (Oxford, MA) did not record an out as he faced three batters and allowed two hits and one unearned run. First-year Cody Osburn (Fair Oaks, CA) recorded the final out of the ninth on a swinging strikeout.
Sabacinski and sophomore Joseph Carlier (Rockland, MA) each had two safeties for WSU while Dume had the only multi-hit day for the visitors with a pair of doubles.
The Lancers held the 9-6 advantage in the hitting department, but left 10 men on base to Fisher's seven. The Falcons also had five stolen bases on the outing with Rosario and Zaher each swiping two apiece.
In a brief pregame ceremony, St. Thomas was honored on "Senior Day" for playing in his final home game.
Both teams will conclude their regular seasons on Saturday. The Blue and Gold will travel to MASCAC opponent Mass Maritime for a 12 PM start as Fisher will entertain Briarcliffe (NY) at 3 o'clock.
Story written by Jim Sarkisian – Sports Information Assistant
