Fitchburg State Fall Shorts Vs. Newbury, 8-6

Mason and Silberman combined for five hits in non-conference setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. (April 17, 2013) – The Fitchburg State baseball team suffered a tough 8-6 setback to Newbury College in non-conference action this afternoon at Riccards Field.

Fitchburg State came out soaring, post a 4-1 lead midway through the contest, using a four run fourth inning and five strong innings from senior Jeff Boice (Glastonbury, Conn.). Junior Joseph Balboni (Townsend, Mass.) put the Falcons on the board first, plating senior Randy Ortiz (Danielson, Conn.) who led off the inning with a single.

The Falcons added three more runs in the frame with a Matt Zajac (New Hartford, Conn.) RBI single and fielding error from the Nighthawks, but Newbury rallied back, exposing the Falcons bullpen and posting seven runs in the fifth frame to take a commanding 8-4 lead.

Fitchburg State threatened in the bottom of the ninth, placing the go-ahead run on first with a bases loaded jam, but the Newbury bullpen retired the final three outs to secure the victory. Zajac again connected for a RBI single in the rally, while junior Alex Heroux (Leominster, Mass.) added an RBI with a sacrifice fly.

Boice started the contest for the Falcons, going the first five innings, yielding just three hits and one run while striking out one. Cutler took the loss for Fitchburg State (0-1), surrendering four runs (zero earned) and seven hits over the final four innings.

At the plate, junior David Mason (Leominster, Mass.) led Fitchburg State, finishing 3-for-5 with one RBI, while classmate AJ Silberman (Meriden, Conn.) also collected a pair of hits. Ortiz found himself on base three times this afternoon with a hit and two walks, while Zajac added a hit, walk, run scored and one RBI.

Fitchburg State (11-15-1, 2-6 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it travels to Keene State at 4 p.m.