WESTFIELD – Westfield State University and Fitchburg State University split a baseball doubleheader at newly named Bud and Jim Hagan Field on Sunday. Fitchburg jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and held on to win the opener, 8-5, while Westfield rolled to a 20-4 victory in the nightcap.
Westfield is 6-4 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and 13-16 overall. Fitchburg State is 3-7 and 12-17.
In the opener, the Falcons scored four unearned runs in the first inning, three more in the second, and a run in the third to take its 8-0 lead.
The Falcons did rap four hits in the opening frame, including a two-run single by Pierce Hans.
The Owls chipped way, scoring single runs in the third and fourth innings, and three more in the fifth. But their comeback fell short as they stranded 11 base runners in the seven-inning game.
Fitchburg out-hit Westfield, 10-6. Jeff Boice was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI and Alex Heroux was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Hans was 2 for 4 with his two RBI and David Mason also drove in two runs.
Kevin Greene blasted an RBI triple, his seventh three bagger of the season, for the Owls. Designated hitter Nick Champeau was 2 for 4 with an RBI.
In the second game, the Owls belted 20 hits, including 19 singles, in coasting to their 20-4 triumph.
Fitchburg took a 2-1 second-inning lead on a two-run homer by Brendan Cutler. Westfield took the lead for good in the home half of the second, crossing the plate four times after two outs and the bases empty. The Owls tallied three times in both the fourth and fifth innings and erupted for eight runs in the sixth.
Leadoff batter Pat McWilliams and No. 9 batter Jeremy Tanguay were perfect at the plate, going a combined 9 for 9 with seven RBI. Tanguay was 5 for 5 with four RBI and McWilliams was 4 for 4 with three RBI.
Kyle Colesanti was 3 for 4 with two RBI and three runs scored and Dan Rokitowski was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Tim Santilli smashed a pinch hit RBI double for Westfield’s only extra base hit and Champeau was 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Cutler was 2 for 2 with his two RBI and Randy Ortiz rapped two singles.
Peter Cassidy went the distance for the pitching victory. He allowed nine hits, a walk and three earned runs and struck out eight.
Fitchburg’s six pitchers walked 12 and the Owls stranded 14 base runners.
