Falcons Collect MASAC Split With Lancers

Kirkconnell and Cahill guide Falcons to conference split

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University softball team earned a split with the Lancers of Worcester State this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Donna Lee Withington Softball Field as the Falcons held on for a 2-1 walk off win in the opener before falling 4-1 in the nightcap.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 2, Worcester State 1 (GM1)

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Worcester State 4 (GM 2)

Records: Fitchburg State (9-18, 4-4 MASCAC) I Worcester State (19-11, 6-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Game One

Worcester State opened the scoring in the top of the second as sophomore Emma Lampher (Charlton, Mass.) tripled to center field and crossed the plate on sacrifice foul out to second base off the bat of freshman Emma Lapoint (Westfield, Mass.) for the 1-0 edge.

Fitchburg State knotted the scored at 1-1 in the bottom half of the second when sophomore Isabella Sousa (Charlton, Mass.) singled down the left field line before junior Lauren Kirkconnell (Dayville, Conn.) ripped an RBI double to right center.

The Lancers threatened in the top of the seventh with newcomer Lauren Dube (Leominster, Mass.) blasted a double to right center, moved to third on a groundout, but Falcon center fielder Madison Mantegani (Bellingham, Mass.) made a game saving diving catch to keep the game tied at 1-1.

The Falcons secured the victory in the bottom of the seventh as Kirkconnell singled to second base, advanced to third on a single off the bat of Mantegani before crossing the plate following a fielding miscue, resulting in the 2-1, game one final.

Inside the Numbers

• Kirkconnell led the way for the Falcons, going 3-of-3 with a double, one run scored and an RBI
• Sousa finished 1-for-3 with a run scored for the Green and Gold
• Senior Sarah Cahill (Mansfield, Mass.) picked up the win for Fitchburg State, allowing one run on six hits with two K's in the complete game effort
• For the Lancers, Gasbarro hit 3-for-3 with a double, triple and a run scored
• Senior Jen Thornburg (Tyngsboro, Mass.) took the loss for Worcester State, giving up one unearned run on two hits and two strikeouts over two innings of work

Game Two

Worcester State took a 1-0 margin in the top of the second when Gasbarro walked, moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch before scoring on a double steal. The Lancers doubled the lead in the following frame as Lapoint singled to through the left side and scored on an RBI double from freshman Morgan Keefe (Dracut, Mass.).

The visitors upped the lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth with newcomer Ava Bogosian (Worcester, Mass.) and Lampher singling to put runners on first and second before freshman Bailey Tammaro (Fitchburg, Mass.) and Lapoint registered RBI base knocks.

Fitchburg State answered in the bottom of the sixth as junior Dana Cisowski (Torrington, Conn.) singled down the left field line, advanced to third on a single from senior Molly Grass (Rockland, Mass.) and scored on an RBI double to left off the bat of sophomore Julia Gauvin (Granby, Mass.) to make the score 4-1.

The Green and Gold threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Kirkconnell reached on a fielding miscue and senior Bryanna O'Connor (Hudson, N.H.) singled to left field, but the Lancers worked out of the jam, resulting in the 4-1, game two final

Inside the Numbers

• 92nd meeting between Fitchburg State and Worcester State on the softball field with the Falcons 29-63 all-time when taking on the Lancers
• Mantegani paced the Falcons, going 2-of-4
• Gauvin finished with a double and an RBI for the Green and Gold
• Junior Mary Kate Moreau (Berkley, Mass.) suffered the setback for Fitchburg State, yielding four runs on ten hits and four punchouts in five innings pitched
• For the Lancers, Gabarro hit 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored
• Thornburn picked up the win for Worcester State, scattering three hits and two K's over four innings of work

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Thursday as they host the AMCATS of Anna Maria College for a non-conference twin bill, starting at 3:00PM.