Falcons Win Twice Over Vikings

SALEM, Mass. – Zacharey Malek's  (Schenectady, N.Y.) three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning, proved to be the difference as the Falcons held on to defeat Salem State 4-3 in the first game of their scheduled Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader on Saturday at The Central Campus Baseball Field.

Starting pitcher Brendan Ferrell (Plymouth, Mass.) picked up the win in game two for Fitchburg State, throwing five shutout innings while allowing just three hits as the Falcons blanked the Vikings 6-0. Fitchburg State is now 5-19 and 2-4 in the MASCAC. Salem State goes to 11-9 and 3-3 in conference.  

Game One

Trailing, 2-1 in the sixth, Malek cleared the bases with a shot over the left field fence, putting the Falcons back on top to stay.  

Connor Morehouse (Wetherby Lake, Mo.) gave Fitchburg State the lead with a solo home run, his second of the series, in the third inning. Salem State went up 2-1 in the fifth, scoring twice on an RBI triple by Brahiam Ortega (Lawrence, Mass.) and a single by Jake Boucher (Wallingford, Conn.).

Falcon's starter Richard Sharp (Townsend, Mass.) went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts to earn the win. Matthew Ambrosino (Bradenton, Fla.) pitched the final two innings, allowing a run on two hits with a strikeout to earn the save.

Salem State added a run in the seventh on a fielder's choice to close to within 4-3. However, Salem State stranded two runners as Ambrosino closed the game with a strikeout.

Mason Consigli (Northbridge, Mass.) took the loss, going 5.2 innings, while giving up four runs on six hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts. Greg Gentle (Arlington, Mass.) closed the game with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief.

Morehouse had two hits for Fitchburg State, including a double and home run with an RBI and two runs scored. Boucher had a hit and two RBI in four at-bats for the Vikings.

Game Two

Fitchburg State went on top 2-0 in the second on four straight hits. A double by Morehouse put runners on second and third. Sharp then singled to left to score the first run and Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) followed with a base hit to left for the second run of the inning.

Christopher Masta (Peabody, Mass.) added a sacrifice fly in the fifth to increase the Falcons' lead to 3-0. Fitchburg State pulled away in the sixth as Sharp added a bases loaded triple to score three runs to increase the lead to 6-0.

Robert Clarke (Plymouth, Mass.) pitched two innings of scoreless relief, with a walk and strikeout.

Juan Hurtado (Homestead, Fla.) started for Salem State, going two innings, and allowing two runs on six hits with a walk and strikeout to take the loss as Salem State used six pitchers in the game.

Sharp had three hits in four at-bats for the Falcons, with four RBI. Boucher was 2-for-3 for the Vikings, including a double.