Falcons split doubleheader with Martin Luther, grab 2nd win of RussMatt Invitational

Auburndale, FL – The Fitchburg State University baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with the Knights of Martin Luther College this afternoon at the New England Baseball Complex. The Falcons captured game one by a 9-5 final before falling 6-3 in extra innings in the nightcap.

The Basics

Game 1 Score: Fitchburg State 9, Martin Luther 5 (7 innings)
Game 2 Score: Fitchburg State 3, Martin Luther 6 (8 innings)

Records: Fitchburg State (3-6) Martin Luther: (3-7)

Game 1

Falcons baseball jumped out to a dominant start and never looked back, defeating the Martin Luther Knights baseball 9–5 behind a huge first inning and a balanced offensive effort. The Falcons wasted no time getting on the board, plating five runs in the opening inning. Joseph Abt (Newbury, MA) started the rally by scoring the game's first run before Brady Campbell (Sandwich, MA) drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run. Moments later, Brendon Groom (Canton, GA) drove in a run on a groundout, Joseph Aronica (Port Jefferson, NY) followed with an RBI single, and Liam Currier (Charlestown, RI) capped the rally with another RBI single to give Fitchburg State a commanding 5–0 lead after one.

The Falcons kept the pressure on in the third inning, extending the lead with four more runs. Jason Kelly (East Bridgewater, MA) brought home a run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, before Abt delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a two-run single. Tyler Fonck (Milford, CT) added an RBI single of his own as Fitchburg State stretched the lead to 9–1, finishing with two hits and a triple on the day. Martin Luther attempted to rally with a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot from Carlos Walta in the third and another from Jackson Anderson in the sixth, but the Falcons pitching staff held firm. Marco Carrillo (Newbury, MA) started for the Falcons, while Benjamin Forbes (Ashburnham, MA) got the win in relief, then, Dan Palmer (Sutton, MA), and Evan Aubin (Killingworth, CT) combined to close out the game as Fitchburg State secured the 9–5 victory with 10 hits and eight RBIs.

Game 2

Fitchburg State Falcons baseball forced extras in the 2nd game of this afternoon's doubleheader, but could not hold off a late rally in a 6–3 loss to the Martin Luther Knights baseball. The Falcons opened the scoring in the third inning when Casey Bellew (Beverly, MA) came around to score on an RBI groundout from Jason Kelly, giving Fitchburg State an early 1–0 advantage. On the mound, Owen Corcoran (Stafford, VA) kept Martin Luther quiet through the first three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three. The Falcons offense added pressure throughout the middle innings, collecting five hits in the game, including a double from Michael Cooper (Fitchburg, MA) and a hit and walk from Maxwell Riordan (Pepperell, MA).

Martin Luther responded with two runs in the fifth to take the lead, but Fitchburg State answered right back in the sixth. With runners on base, the Falcons capitalized on a wild pitch allowing  both Tyler Fonck and Maxwell Riordan to score and tie the game at 3–3. The Falcons bullpen kept the game within reach as Jack Castrichini (Peabody, MA), Pete Joslyn (Holden, MA), and Shane Daly (Rockland, MA) combined for several strikeouts out of the bullpen. The game remained tied until the eighth inning when Martin Luther's Parker Winghart broke through with a two-run home run to give the visitors the lead. Martin Luther added another run later in the inning on a wild pitch, and despite the Falcons' efforts, the late surge proved to be the difference as Martin Luther secured the 6–3 victory behind an eight-inning, 12-strikeout performance from starter Aidan Berg.

By the Numbers

• Abt led the Falcons offensively in game one with a two-run single as part of Fitchburg State's nine-run effort.

• Fonck recorded an RBI single in game one and later scored the tying run in game two.

• Michael Cooper collected a double in the second game of the twin bill, while Riordan finished with a hit and a walk.

• On the mound, Benjamin Forbes earned the win in relief in game one while Dan Palmer and Evan Aubin (Killingworth, CT) combined to close out the victory.

• Corcoran struck out three batters in his start in game two, while Jack Castrichini, Pete Joslyn, and Shane Daly recorded multiple strikeouts out of the bullpen.

Up Next

The Falcons return to action this week when they continue non-conference play at the RussMatt Invitational Wednesday vs UW-Superior at 10:30 am. 

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