FITCHBURG, Mass. -- The visiting Bridgewater State University baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Fitchburg State University on Saturday afternoon at Riccards Field.

The host Falcons (11-10) notched a 3-1 triumph in the opener, while the Bears (11-18) rallied for a 5-3 victory in game two.

The twinbill marked the season finale for Bridgewater State. Fitchburg State ended the 2021 campaign as the MASCAC regular season champion. The Falcons will host the best-of-three MASCAC Championship series next Friday and Saturday against Salem State. 

Game One

Bridgewater State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth as Colin Josselyn (Hanson, Mass.) singled, moved to second on a base hit off the bat of Joey Molis (Cumberland, R.I.) and eventually scored on an RBI groundout by Joe Frechette (Plymouth, Mass.).

Fitchburg State answered in the home half of the fourth. Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) and Cameron Donahue (Methuen, Mass.) collected back-to-back hits before Benjamin Zoebisch (Plymouth, Mass.) singled to center to bring home Eramo and Jaime Velez (Lowell, Mass.) added an RBI double for the 2-1 edge.

The Falcons added an insurance run in the bottom half of the sixth when Donahue reached first base on a dropped third strike, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored as Zoebisch laced a single up the middle to make the score 3-1.

Aidan Ward (Dunstable, Mass.) collected the win on the mound for Fitchburg State. Ward (3-1) allowed one run on three hits with a season-best seven strikeouts over five innings pitched.

Brad Keefe (Dracut, Mass.) pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up his first collegiate save.

Matt Josselyn (Hanson, Mass.) took the loss on the hill for Bridgewater State in the complete game effort. Josselyn (3-4) gave up three runs (two earned) on eight hits with a pair of walks over six innings. He equaled his career-high with eight strikeouts. 

Zoebisch led the way for the Falcons, going 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI, while Velez went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Colin Josselyn singled, walked and scored a run in three plate appearances to lead the BSU offense.

Game Two

Bridgewater State erased a 3-1 deficit with a four-run sixth inning as the Bears earned the split with a 5-3 victory in the nightcap.

The Bears opened the scoring in the top of the first. Luke Tamulevich (Whitman, Mass.) singled to left, stole second and crossed the plate on an RBI double by Cam James (Ipswich, Mass.) for the 1-0 lead.

The Falcons grabbed the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first when Brendan Ferrell (Plymouth, Mass.) reached on a single to second base, stole second and scored on an RBI base hit off the bat of Matthew Pingitore (Rutland, Mass.), while Johan Asencio (Clinton, Mass.) would add an RBI groundout later in the frame that plated Zachary May (Rochdale, Mass.).

Fitchburg State upped its advantage in the fifth inning as senior Nicholas Cordeau (Melrose, Mass.) reached on a throwing error, stole second and crossed the plate on an RBI single to left center from Ferrell to make the score 3-1.

The Bears regained the lead for good in the top of the sixth, plating four runs on six hits. James started the rally with a leadoff double and came around to score on Colin Josselyn's RBI single. A base hit by Kyle Suraci (Clinton, Conn.) and a Tyler Rondeau (Bourne, Mass.) sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out. Kevin Lindsay (East Bridgewater, Mass.) then lined a clutch two-run single into left-center to give the visitors a 4-3 lead. Mathew Pigeon (Canton, Mass.) followed with an RBI single down the right field line that brought home Lindsay to push the score to 5-3.

Trever Dennett (Kingston, Mass.) got the start on the mound for the Bears but did not factor in the decision. Dennett allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings with a walk and a strikeout.

Ethan Grade (South Windsor, Conn.) picked up the win in relief as he retired all four batters he faced. Grade (3-2) came on with runners at first and second with one out in the fifth and induced an inning ending double play.

Jay Wladkowski (Norwood, Mass.) worked around a pair of walks in the seventh to record his first collegiate save.

Matthew Ambrosino () tossed four solid innings in the start for Fitchburg State. Ambrosino gave up just one run on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Alec Hanney (Leominster, Mass.) suffered the setback for the Falcons. Haney (1-2) yielded four runs on six hits with one strikeout over 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Colin Josselyn went 3-for-4 with a double, run and an RBI to pace the Bears' 13-hit attack in game two. James doubled twice in four at bats, scored a run and drove in one, while Lindsay (2-3, R, 2RBI) and Suraci (2-4, R) also notched multiple hits for the visitors.

Bridgewater State's 13 hits marked a season high.

May (2-3, BB) and Ferrell (2-3, BB) combined for four hits, two walks, two runs scored and one RBI for Fitchburg State.

Game two marked the 93rd meeting between the two teams with the Bears holding a 63-30 lead in the all-time series.