Lynn, Mass.—The Fisher College baseball team defeated the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) in an NAIA-NCAA cross match-up by a score of 4-1 in a Friday afternoon game. The Falcons improve to 10-12 on the season while the Buccaneers drop to 5-7.
MMA started the scoring in the third inning with a two-out rally starting with a single to center field. The next batter walked and an error by the left fielder during the next play allowed MMA to put the first run on the board.
Fisher didn't stand for MMA having a lead and came right back in the bottom of the third to tie the game at one. Adam Lucey started the Falcon one out rally with a walk, followed by a Kyle Anulao single which scored Lucey. Anulao advanced to second on the throw and was moved over to third on a fly out by Devin Perry down the right field line.
The next few innings were pitchers duals as neither time was able to push a run across the plate. The Buccaneers threatened the Falcons defense in the top of the seventh inning when they force bases loaded, but Sam Schroeder got the second out at the plate to hold the Bucs. Pitcher Bryan DeJesus forced a fly out to centerfield to end the threat.
In the bottom half of the seventh inning, the Falcons offense rallied to take a 4-1 lead over MMA. The Bucs pitcher got the first two batters with a strike out and a fly out, but Nelson Lopez bunted his way on base. Andres Ruiz singled up the middle putting runners on first and second with two outs.
Reinaldo Moreta knocked a triple to right field scoring Lopez and Ruiz to put the Falcons up 3-1. Adam Lucey hit a laser beam at the shortstop forcing an error and Moreta scored. Fisher's next batter flew out in foul territory, but not before the Falcons took a 4-1 lead.
Sophomore Matthew Trotta came in to finish the game for the Falcons. In the top of the eighth inning, he got the Bucs to go down 1-2-3. The Falcons threatened to score again in the bottom of the eighth, but were shut down just as quick. Trotta returned to the mound, but a single and two walks with one out threatened the Falcons' lead. Two fly outs to the outfield finalized the game with a 4-1 Falcon victory.
Cody Mercier led the offense for the Falcons going 2-for-4 on the afternoon including a double. Anulao, Perry, Ruiz, Lopez, and Moreta all added a hit apiece for the Falcons in the victory. MMA mustered up seven hits on the afternoon, but could only push one run across the plate.
The Falcons will return to action Saturday, March 26 when they play host to Worcester State University in one nine inning game at 1:00 p.m. MMA has a few days off before returning to play on Tuesday, March 29 when they host Becker College at 4:00 p.m.