Baseball Splits with Owls

WESTFIELD, MA: Fitchburg State baseball splits today's doubleheader against Westfield State in MASCAC action.  

THE BASICS:

- Date: 4/27/24

- Score: Fitchburg 3, Westfield 2 (Game One). Westfield 5, Fitchburg 4 (Game Two)

- Records: Westfield (24-12, 12-6 MASCAC), Fitchburg (11-24, 6-12 MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game One

The Owls scored one run in the bottom of the third to take the lead. The go-ahead run came across after a sacrifice fly to center by Alex Martin. Westfield added one more in the sixth to go up 2-0. That run scored off a Thomas LaSpada double to left center.

- The Falcons would come to life in the seventh with three straight singles to load the bases. Cole DuHaime (Warminster, PA) would be responsible for the first run to come in after a walk. Delivering the game-winning hit was Matthew Kelly (E. Bridgewater, MA). Kelly hit a two-run single to center field. Joseph Stawski (Niantic, CT) would then come back out in the bottom of the seventh and finish the complete game on the mound.

- Stawski (W, 3-3) went the distance, allowing just six hits, one earned run, and three strikeouts. Joe Espinola (L, 2-1) came in to close the game out but surrendered three runs to the Falcons to get the loss. He pitched one inning, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and two strikeouts.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Kelly delivered the biggest hit after going 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

-  Ryan Donahue, the starter for Westfield, pitched in 6 scoreless innings, allowing just 3 hits, and he struck out 4.

-  Adam Koza (Windham, MA) continues to hit well after going 2-for-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game Two

- Game two saw a bit more offense from both teams. Fitchburg got things started in the top of the first with a two-run inning. Joseph Abt (Newbury, MA) plated the first on a groundout. Koza plated the second on a double to left field.

- Westfield bounced back in the third inning, plating three runs to take the lead 3-2. The Owls scored those runs via an RBI single, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly. Westfield added its final two runs in the fifth inning. Nolan Florence would bring in the first on an RBI single to center field. The last Owl run would come across on an error.

- Fitchburg would again give Westfield a scare in the top of the seventh by plating two on a single from Kelly and another single by Jacob Hurrell (Haverhill, MA). However, the rally would fall short for Fitchburg, giving them the loss.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- Shane Daly (Rockland, MA) (L, 1-5) took the loss after going 2 innings, surrendering 6 hits and 3 earned runs.

-  Colton Vasseur (W, 4-1) got the win after going 6.1 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs, and 4 strikeouts. Joe Fischer would get the save (2) after finishing out the top of the seventh with 2 hits, 1 run, and 2 strikeouts.

-  Justin Neidel topped all hitters, going 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI.

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State baseball will return Tuesday when they host The University of St. Joseph's at 3:30 PM on Riccards Field.

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