Falcons Collect Split With Bears In MASCAC Action

Kirkconnell finishes with three hits and two RBI; MacDonald ties program record for coaching victories 

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University softball team earned a split with the Bears of Bridgewater State University this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Donna Lee WIthington Memorial Field as Bridgewater State took the opener by a score of 10-1 before Fitchburg State salvaged the split with a 4-0 triumph in the nightcap.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Bridgewater State 10 (Game One) (Five Inn)

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Bridgewater State 0 (Game Two)

Records: Fitchburg State (10-12, 4-6 MASCAC) I Bridgewater State (13-8-1, 6-3-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Game One

Bridgewater State opened the scoring in the top of the third as freshman Janet Jolly (Raynham, Mass.) walked, moved to second on a single from junior Megan Sharon (East Longmeadow, Mass.) before senior Alexandra Ruprecht (Somerset, Mass.) laced a two-run double down the right field line for the 2-0 margin.

The Bears upped their lead (10-0) in the following frame when junior Emma Healy (Plymouth, Mass.) and senior Madison Synan (Quincy, Mass.) notched two-run base knocks, while Sharon and junior Kelley Reichert (Milford, Mass.) added RBI singles as well.

Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 10-1 in the bottom of the fifth, stringing together four straight hits. Senior Taylor Colvin (Lancaster, Mass.) singled to first base, advanced to second and third as sophomore Madison Mantegani (Bellingham, Mass.) and senior Keeliey Zompetti (Hudson, Mass.) registered base knocks and crossed the plate on a single through the left side by newcomer Lauren Kirkconnell (Dayville, Conn.).

Inside the Numbers

• Kirkconnell led the way for the Falcons, going 1-for-2 with an RBI
• Ruprecht paced the Bears offense, hitting 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI
• Colvin suffered the setback for Fitchburg State, allowing four earned runs with four K's over five innings of work
• With those four strikeouts, Colvin moved into ninth place on Fitchburg State's all-time career strikeouts list with 166 career punchouts
• Reichert picked up the win in the circle for Bridgewater State, yielding one run on four hits with three strikeouts in the complete game effort

Game Two

In the second game of the afternoon, Fitchburg State struck first in the bottom half of the second when Mantegani singled through the left side, moved to second on a fielder's choice and scored along side Zompetti following base knock by Kirkconnell and a throwing miscue to make the score 2-0

The Green and Gold extended their lead (3-0) in the bottom of the fourth with Pogorek drawing a lead-off walk, advancing to second and third on a sacrifice bunt and a single from Zompetti and came in to score on a throwing error.

The Falcons would tack on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when sophomore Sarah Cahill (Mansfield, Mass.) tripled down the right field line and pinch runner Bryanna O'Connor (Hudson, N.H.) scored on an RBI single off the bat of Kirkconnell, resulting in the 4-0 final.

Inside the Numbers

• 78th meeting between the two teams in softball with the Falcons 10-68 vs the Bears
• Kirkconnell was solid again for Fitchburg State, batting 2-for-3 with an RBI
• Fitchburg State head coach Merry MacDonald tied the program record for wins with her 130^th career coaching victory
• For Bridgewater State, Sharon and Reichert combined for two hits, including a double and a triple
• Cahill earned the win for the Falcons, pitching the complete game shutout, allowing five hits with four K's
• Reichert took the loss for the Bears, giving up four runs (2 earned) on seven hits with a pair of strikeouts in six innings of work

Up Next

Both teams return to action tomorrow as the Falcons travel to Bridgewater State to take on the Bears in a non-conference double header, starting at 12:00 PM.