WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Fitchburg State Falcons defeated Worcester State 11-4 in the first game of the afternoon, while the second game was left at 6-6 as the sun was setting for the game to be continued to play on Friday (Apr. 29) at 3:30 p.m. at the Lyons Diamond. With game one's results, the Falcons advance to 15-16 and 8-3 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play, while the Lancers dip to 12-23 and 1-9 in the MASCAC.
GAME ONE: FITCHBURG STATE 11, WORCESTER STATE 4
Fitchburg State jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning with eight runs on seven hits. Andrew Currie (Quincy, Mass.) started the inning with a single to left field, from where Nate Littman (Abington, Mass.) reached base on a double. Both of their runs were scored on a two-RBI single from Brendan Cutler (Clinton, Mass.) to take the early 2-0 advantage. Walks and singles helped the Falcons bat 12 in the top of the inning, moving into the bottom of the inning with a hefty 8-0 advantage.
The Lancers came back with three runs on four hits in the bottom half, as John Boyd (Worcester, Mass.) reached on a walk, and then Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.) doubled to right center. Boyd scored on a single from Adam Barry (Auburn, Mass.) from where Ryan scored on a single from George Bielizna (Danbury, Mass.). Mike Powers (Weymouth, Mass.) rounded out the RBI's for the Lancers in that inning, as he plated Barry for the 8-3 score.
The Falcons held their lead throughout the whole game, as they scored two more in the top of the second on an RBI double from Roel Fernandez (Cape Coral, Fla.) and another unearned run in the top of the sixth on a passed ball. Worcester's only additional run was on an RBI single from Adam Barry in the bottom of the second.
It was a clean game for both teams, as no errors were carded throughout. Though, the Falcons outhit the Lancers 14-10 and came through with the 11-4 victory.
Littman led the Falcons, going 4-for-5 at the plate and registering two runs, while Currie went 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. Andrew Mooney (Framingham, Mass.) batted .500 (2-4) with one run and one RBI.
For the Lancers, Bielizna went 3-for-4 with one RBI while Mike Ferrara (Easton, Mass.) went 2-for-3. Barry batted at the .500 mark (2-4) with one run and two RBI.
Evan Meleedy (Lakeville, Mass.) pitched all seven innings for the Falcons allowing 10 hits and giving up four runs to improve his record to 3-2 on the season. For the Lancers, Kevin Valentine (Milford, Mass.) absorbed the loss for the Blue and Gold allowing seven runs and retiring one of his own.
GAME TWO: FITCHBURG STATE 6, WORCESTER STATE 6 – 11 INNINGS (TO BE CONTINUED)
Four extra innings were not enough for both the Lancers and the Falcons to come away with a win/loss decision as the game stopped at a 6-6 tie going into the top of the 12th inning before the sun set at the Lyons Diamond.
In the meantime, Worcester State will resume play tomorrow (Apr. 28) when they travel to Salve Regina for a 3:30 p.m. matchup. Fitchburg State also travels tomorrow, as they take on the Bisons of Nichols College for a 3:00 p.m. contest. The two teams will battle today's game out for a win on Friday (Apr. 29) at 3:30 p.m. at the Lyons Baseball Diamond.