The Fitchburg State baseball staff bested Westfield State, 14-8 in opening-round motion of the 2023 MASCAC from Alumni Park at Bridgewater State on Thursday earlier than falling 10-7 to the host Bears within the quarterfinals.

The Falcons (19-20, 9-12 MASCAC) nonetheless have life within the double-elimination tourney, returning to motion Friday to tackle Mass. Maritime Academy within the semifinal at 11 a.m.

Fitchburg State 14, Westfield State 8

Fitchburg State opened the scoring within the prime of the primary as sophomore Matthew Smith walked, superior to second on a single off the bat of senior Vincent Eramo and scored on an RBI single to proper heart from senior Zachary Malek for a 1-0 edge.

Tied at 1 within the fourth, the Falcons regained the lead as sophomore Jacob Hurrell blasted a solo shot over the left discipline fence for his sixth residence run of the season to make the rating 2-1.

After the Owls got here up with 4 runs within the fourth to take a 5-2 benefit, the Falcons answered again within the prime of the fifth as Eramo singled by the left aspect to carry residence junior Devin Lorae earlier than Malek adopted with an RBI double down the left discipline line that plated Smith. Junior Matthew Kelly then ripped a two-run single down the best discipline line for an 8-5 lead.

Fitchburg State upped the result in 11-5 within the prime of the sixth, loading the bases earlier than sophomore Nolan Hills was hit by a pitch to herald Smith, whereas Kelly laced a two-run single by the left aspect.

The Falcons pushed the benefit to 14-7 within the following body as Eramo crushed a solo shot to left heart and Hurrell linked on an RBI triple to left heart. With the house run, Eramo grew to become the Falcons all-time profession chief along with his twenty second profession residence run, surpassing the earlier document of 21, held by former Falcon Gary Blanchette (88).

Westfield State reduce the deficit to 14-8 within the backside of the eighth, however Fitchburg State reduction pitcher LT Pare closed the door within the backside ninth.

Eramo led the best way for the Falcons, going 4-for-6 with a house run, three runs scored and two RBI, whereas Hurrell went 3-for-5 with a triple, residence run, two runs scored and three RBI.

Pare earned the win for Fitchburg State, permitting three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts in 5 innings of reduction. With the victory, the Leominster Excessive grad set the Falcons’ single-season document for wins along with his ninth of the season

Bridgewater State 10, Fitchburg State 7

Bridgewater State took a 4-0 edge within the backside of the third as junior Kyle Suraci launched a grand slam to left heart.

However Fitchburg State reduce the deficit to 4-2 within the prime of the fourth when Eramo was hit by a pitch to guide off the body and Malek adopted with a two-run shot to left discipline.

The Falcons knotted the rating at 4 within the following body as Lorae reached on a fielders’ selection, superior to second on single off the bat of Maxwell Kelly, earlier than Eramo and Smith singled to load the bases. Malek and Hurrell then drew bases-loaded walks to attain a pair.

Down 7-4 within the eighth, the Falcons answered again within the prime of the eighth when Hills singled up the center, pinch runner Derek Milliken moved to second and third on a pair of handed balls and sophomore Greg Reed laced a single to proper heart to trim the result in 7-5.

Bridgewater State pushed the result in 10-5 within the backside of the eighth, however Fitchburg State scratched throughout a pair of run within the prime of the ninth when Smith singled to proper discipline, superior to 3rd on fielding miscue and scored on an RBI groundout from Malek, whereas Hurrell introduced residence Eramo with a sacrifice fly to heart for the Falcons’ remaining run.

Malek led the best way for the Falcons, going 1-for-4 with a house run, one run scored and 4 RBI, whereas Smith completed 2-for-3 with two runs rating.

Sophomore Josesph Hartnett took the loss for Fitchburg State, yielding seven runs (4 earned) on 5 hits with 5 strikeouts over six innings.