Falcons Soar Past Wildcats In Non-Conference Twin Bill

Bigeau blasts first two collegiate homeruns to lead Green and Gold 

Longmeadow, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University softball team swept a pair of non-conference contests from the Wildcats of Bay Path University by the scores of 8-4 and 21-3 this afternoon from the South Campus.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 8, Bay Path 4 (GM1)

Score: Fitchburg State 21, Bay Path 3 (GM 2)

Records: Fitchburg State (7-14, 2-2 MASCAC) I Bay Path (5-15)

How It Happened

Game One

Fitchburg State opened the scoring in the top of the first as sophomore Kiara Bigeau (Clinton, Mass.) laced a two-run single to center field to plate classmate Julia Gauvin (Granby, Mass,) and senior Molly Grass (Rockland, Mass.) for the 2-0 margin.

Bay Path answered in the bottom of the second frame when sophomore Alyssa Colangelo (Waterbury, Conn.) drove in classmate Grace Ramsey (Ault, Colo.) with a sacrifice fly to right field to make the score 2-1.

The Falcons upped the lead to 5-1 in the top of the fifth with Bigeau launching a three-run shot to left field for her first collegiate homerun. The Wildcats responded in their half of the fifth as senior Taylor Suffoletto (Warwick, R.I.) doubled to right center to bring home sophomore Madison Tessmer (Cromwell, Conn.) to trim the deficit to 5-2.

The Green and Gold pushed the lead to 8-2 in the top of the sixth when junior Dana Cisowski (Torrington, Conn.) and Grass registering RBI base knocks. The hosts cut the lead to 8-4 in the bottom of the seventh with Suffolett and Ramsey collecting an RBI double and fielders' choice, but Fitchburg State hurler Sarah Cahill (Mansfield, Mass.) was able to close the contest, resulting in the 8-4, game one final.

Inside the Numbers

• Bigeau led the way for the Falcons, going 2-for-3 with a home run, one run scored and five RBI
• Grass finished 2-for-4 with a double, triple, three runs scored and an RBI
• Cahill picked up the win for Fitchburg State, allowing four runs (3 earned) on ten hits with eight K's in the complete game effort
• For the Wildcats, Suffolett hit 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI
• Sophomore Isabelle Ferrara (Hampden, Mass.) took the loss for Bay Path, yielding eight runs (6 earned) on 13 hits with one strikeout over seven innings of work

Game Two

Fitchburg State grabbed a 2-0 edge in the top of the first when Grass ripped a two-run double to left center to score Gauvin and senior Madison Mantegani (Bellingham, Mass.). Bay Path responded in their half of the first as Suffolett reached on a fielding error to plate senior Emma Scheeren (Schaghticoke, N.Y.) to make the score 2-1.

The Falcons extended the lead to 6-1 in the following frame with Grass connecting on a bases-clearing triple that scored Gauvin, Mantegani and senior Bryanna O'Connor (Hudson, N.H.) before Grass crossed the plate on a passed ball.

The Green and Gold secured the victory in the top of the fourth when Bigeau blasted a two-run shot to left field, while O'Connor, junior Mary Kate Moreau (Berkley, Mass.) and sophomore Sydney Gabay (Bohemia, N.Y.) added RBI hits, resulting in the 21-2, game two final.

Inside the Numbers

• Third meeting between Fitchburg State and Bay Path on the softball field with the Falcons 3- 0 all-time when taking on the Wildcats
• Bigeau paced the Falcons, hitting 3-for-5 with a double, home run, two runs scored and six RBI
• O'Connor finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI
• Sophomore Mackenzie Leveille (Brooklyn, Conn.) picked up the win for Fitchburg State, giving up three runs (2 earned) on four hits and two punchouts over three innings pitched
• For the Wildcats, Suffolett went 2-for-3 with a double, one run scored and an RBI
• Ferrara gave up six runs on six hits with two K's in 1.2 innings of relief in a no decision for Bay Path
• Sophomore Sydney Gabay registered her first collegiate hit for the Green and Gold

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Lasell College to take on the Lasers for anon-conference twin bill, starting at 3:00PM.