Fitchburg State Takes 7-6 Win over Lancers in 13 Innings

WORCESTER, Mass. – Fitchburg State's Brendan Cutler (Clinton, Mass.) hit the game-winning double to score Nate Littman (Abignton, Mass.) at the plate in the top of the 13^th inning for the Falcons to claim a 7-6 victory over the Worcester State Lancers Friday (Apr. 29) afternoon.

Worcester and Fitchburg went back-to-back with the score in the first two innings, until Fitchburg held the lead in the third when an unearned run crossed the plate in their favor.

The Falcons added to their lead in the fifth when they scored two runs on three hits, including a triple from Andrew Mooney (Framingham, Mass.), scoring Riley Shea (Centerville, Mass.) and Steven Drury (Leominster, Mass.).

However, Worcester State tied the game up in the bottom of the inning when they scored three runs on four hits. Mike Ferrara (Easton, Mass.) accounted for two RBI on a single and then Dan McGuill (E. Longmeadow, Mass.) plated another run on a single to left field, making it a 5-5 ballgame.

Neither team was able to score in the next five innings of play until Fitchburg put one run up on the board in the top of the 11^th inning. Once again, Worcester State matched their run in the bottom of the 11^th to tie the game at 6-6.

In continuation of Wednesday's game, the Falcons and Lancers met again to come up with a game decision, from where Fitchburg State claimed the win in the top of the 13^th on Cutler's RBI double. The Lancers had a chance to match in the bottom of the inning, but the Falcons closed the game out with 1-2-3 plays on the defensive end.

Fitchburg State's Andrew Lessard (Peabody, Mass.) received the win on the mound as he pitched the last two innings and did not allow any Lancer hits. John Boyd (Worcester, Mass.) took the loss as he closed out the last five innings allowing two runs on four hits.

Cutler and Drury both had four hits apiece for the Falcons, while Littman and Mooney registered two RBI apiece. Mooney marked a triple, while Cutler hit two doubles and Drury logged one.

For the Lancers, Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.) accounted for three hits – one of which being a double. Boyd, George Bielizna (Danbury, Conn.), Mike Powers (Weymouth, Mass.), Brian Bonacquisti (Pittsfield, Mass.), and Ferrara all marked two hits apiece for the Blue and Gold.

Worcester State hosts their season finale tomorrow (Apr. 30) a 12 noon doubleheader against MCLA. The Falcons wrap up MASCAC regular season play on the same day, hosting Salem State in a doubleheader.