Softball Falls Twice On Day Four Of The Space Coast Spring Games

Connors & Bafundo collect three hits each for Green & Gold

Melbourne, FL. – The Fitchburg State Softball team dropped a pair of contests to the Lancers of Wisconsin Lutheran and Wheaton (IL) by the scores of 9-3 and 5-4 in non-conference action on day four of the 2026 Space Coast Spring Games today.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 3, Wisconsin Lutheran 9 (GM1)
Score: Fitchburg State 4, Wheaton 5 (IL) 0 (GM2)

Records: Fitchburg State (1-6, 0-0 MASCAC) I Wisconsin Lutheran (5-4, NACC))
Records: Fitchburg State (1-7, 0-0 MASCAC) I Wheaton (IL) (3-4, 0-0 CCW)

How It Happened

Game One

Wisconsin Lutheran opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as sophomore Martiza Martinez (Kenosha, WI) laced a two-run triple to left field before freshman Peyton Crutcher (Ashwaubenon, WI) followed with an RBI single to right field for the 3-0 advantage.

Fitchburg State answered back in the top of the second when sophomore Carolyn Brodeur (Ashby, MA) connected on a two-run single to left center that drove in junior Jessica Mueller (Fitchburg, MA) and newcomer Kiley Connors (Newington, CT) to make the score 3-2.

The Lancers pushed the lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the second with junior Madison Heller (South Milwaukee, WI) and junior Julianna Alloy (Harrison Township, MI) registering RBI's.

The Falcons trimmed the deficit to 5-3 in the top of the fourth as freshman Chloe Bafundo (Southington, CT) singled to left center to drive in sophomore Emily Bennett (Gorham, ME). Wisconsin Lutheran secured the victory in the bottom of the fifth with freshman Rebecca Eddeman (Canton, MI) and sophomore Daylanna Morgese (Milwaukee, WI) driving in runs, resulting the 9-3 final.

By The Numbers

• Brodeur paced the Falcons, going 1-for-3 with two RBI
• Bafundo finished 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Green and Gold
• Freshman Brianna Lynch (Pittsfield, MA) took the loss for Fitchburg State, allowing five runs on six hits with one K over 2.1 innings of work

Game Two

Fitchburg State opened the scoring in the bottom of the first frame as Mueller grounded out to drive in Connors before sophomore Priscilla Dillon (Glennville, GA) singled to left that plated Bafundo for the 2-0 advantage. The Falcons pushed the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of third when Connors reached on a fielding miscue, moved to second on a groundout, stole third and crossed the plate on a throwing error.

Wheaton cut the deficit to 3-1 in the top of fifth with Makena Malecha scoring on a wild pitch before the Thunder answered again in the following frame as Bella Giles doubled down the right field line to make the score 3-2.

Wheaton grabbed the lead in the top of the seventh when Abby Whitehead brought home Ava Hartnett with a sacrifice fly to right field, while Liv Figueroa connected on a two-run triple to center field for the 5-3 advantage. The Green and Gold pushed across one run in the bottom of the seventh as Connors singled to right field, advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on a wild pitch, resulting in the 5-4 final.

By The Numbers

• Connors paced the Falcons, going 2-of-3 with three runs scored and two stolen bases
• Dillon finished 2-for-3 with an RBI
• Freshman Alison Hazel (Winchendon, MA) gave up two runs on six hits and two strikeouts over five innings of work in a no decision

Up Next

Falcons return to action tomorrow as they take on the Muskees of Lakeland College and the Belles of Saint Mary's (IN) on day five action  of the 2026 Space Coast Spring Games at 10:00AM and 2:30 PM.

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