Story written and posted by Anthony Perry '08, Fisher College Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information
WORCESTER, MASS. – The Fisher College Baseball team began a five-game series with Worcester State University this afternoon as the two teams split the double-header with the Falcons claiming a 5-2 game one victory before the Lancers walked off in the 1-0 nightcap. The split moves Fisher to a 20-7 overall record while Worcester State is now 7-1.
Game One: Fisher College 5, Worcester State University 2 (Final)
A three run fifth inning pushed the Falcons ahead for good as the team rallied for a 5-2 game one win to kick off the five-game series with the Lancers.
Trailing 2-1 entering the fifth, Fisher got a RBI single from junior Jacob Deziel (Merrimac, Mass.) and senior Jonathan Rosado (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) followed with a two-RBI opposite field single as the Falcons picked up their 20th win of the season. Freshman Ivanuel Hernandez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) belted a solo home run in the sixth as an insurance run for Fisher.
Freshman left-hander Andres Meletiche (Guayanilla, Puerto Rico) earned his sixth win of the season as he tossed seven innings allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits. Meletiche struck out three and issued just one walk as he is now 6-1. Senior Jose Galan (Alta, Puerto Rico) collected his second save with two innings of two-hit baseball, striking out three.
Worcester State senior Kyle Gray (Braintree, Mass.) suffered the loss as he surrendered five runs (three earned) on five hits over his five-plus innings of work. Junior Joey Zawisza (Newington, Conn.) finished out the ballgame effectively as he limited the Falcons to just one hit over four innings.
Offensively the Lancers were guided by the efforts of sophomore Zack Landry (Mashpee, Mass.) and junior Thomas DiBattista (Hudson, Mass.), who each collected two hits in the opener. Junior Mike Chaves Jr. (Hudson, Mass.) added a RBI single to finish 1-for-4 and sophomore Alex Sortenti-Burns (Sagamore Beach, Mass.) was a perfect 1-for-1 with a walk.
Game Two: Worcester State University 1, Fisher College 0 (Final)
Closing out the twin-bill was a pitcher's duel as it came down to the final at to determine the winner. Worcester State was able to scratch across the lone in the ninth to steal game two and a split of the series opening double-header.
With two out in the home half of the final frame, an error and a single set up the Lancers with runners at first and third for sophomore Chris Ausiello (Tyngsboro, Mass.). Asuiello then singled up the middle to score junior Sean Devin (Lynn, Mass.) to give Worcester State the victory.
The walk-off loss spoiled the outstanding outing on the mound from Fisher junior right-hander Christian Dow (Rochester, N.H.). Dow pitched a complete game, 8.2 innings allowing the one unearned run on seven hits while striking out six. He is now 2-2 on the season.
Senior Issac Christiansen (Franklin, Maine) picked up the win in relief for the Lancers as he tossed 2.2 innings of one-hit baseball, striking out two. Sophomore left-hander Ben Smith (Bourne, Mass.) was the starter and tossed the first 6.1 innings, surrendering two-hits and striking out seven.
Offensively for the Falcons, they were limited to just three hits. Junior Nicholas Lucchese (Long Island, N.Y.) went 1-for-4, with his single breaking up the no-hit bid in the fourth, and sophomore Reynaldo Vega (Aguada, Puerto Rico) finished 1-for-2 in the contest. Junior Elijah Perez (Lawrence, Mass.) added a pinch hit double in the eighth.
Junior Brett Blackwell (Haverhill, Mass.) and DiBattista recorded two-hit games for Worcester State and Ausiello's only hit was the RBI game-winning single as he finished 1-for-4.
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These two teams will be back at it tomorrow afternoon as the series makes it way to Lynn, Massachusetts for the final three games. Tomorrow's double-header begins at 2pm with the series finale scheduled for Friday at 3pm.