Fitchburg State Softball Splits In Season Opener
The Fitchburg State softball team opened the 2011 season this afternoon, splitting a pair of games in Clermont, Fla. The Falcons suffered a 4-0 shutout at the hands of Oswego State in game one, before posting an 11-2 victory over Franciscan in the nightcap.
Falcons fall 4-0 in game one; Post 11-2 four-inning victory in game two
CLERMONT, FLA. (March 14, 2011) – The Fitchburg State softball team opened the 2011 season this afternoon, splitting a pair of games in Clermont, Fla. The Falcons suffered a 4-0 shutout at the hands of Oswego State in game one, before posting an 11-2 victory over Franciscan in the nightcap.
Oswego State 4, Fitchburg State 0
In game one, Fitchburg State received a strong pitching out from senior Nicole Monroe (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) who tossed a complete game in the circle. Monroe finished the contest, scattering ten hits, four runs and four K’s, while sophomore Melissa Wadman (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) and senior Karen Skoczylas (Palmer, Mass./Palmer) registered the lone hits for Fitchburg State.
Fitchburg State 11, Franciscan 2
In the nightcap, Fitchburg State rebounded, exploding for 12 hits and 11 runs for its first victory of the season.
The Falcons opened the contest with seven, first-inning runs and cruised to a four-frame, mercy rule victory. Freshman Emily Pomer (Groveland, Mass./Whittier Regional) led the Fitchburg State attack with a pair of hits, including a single, double and two RBI, while Wadman added two singles and the first Falcon run of the season.
In the first frame, Pomer and freshman Jessica Drago (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) sparked the Falcons rally, posting a pair of run-scoring hits, while Monroe and freshman Briana Kewley (Worcester, Mass./Burncoat) both added a walk to force home a run.
Fitchburg State added three more runs in the second, taking advantage of two Franciscan errors, before Monroe capped the Falcons scoring with an RBI single in the third to drive home freshman Shannon Fitzgerald (Blackstone, Mass./Blackstone Regional).
On the mound, junior Allison Cousins (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) earned the victory, tossing four innings of one run softball. Cousins finished with three K’s and two walks on the afternoon, while Drago posted one strikeout in her first collegiate inning pitched.
Fitchburg State (1-1, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action tomorrow as it competes in a tripleheader vs. Saint Scholastica, Philadelphia Biblical College, and Know starting at 9:30 a.m.