FITCHBURG, MA: The Fitchburg State Baseball team took down the Raiders of Rivier University, 12-7, this afternoon in a non-conference game at Riccards Field. 

THE BASICS:

- Date: 4/9/25

- Score: Fitchburg State 12, Rivier University 7

- Records: Fitchburg State (8-10) | Rivier University (6-14)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  At the end of the first inning, the Falcons went up 2-0 when Joseph Abt (Newbury, MA) singled to center field to bring in the game's first run. Later in the same inning, Nolan Hills (Danvers, MA) would bring in a second run on a sacrifice fly. 

- Rivier brought in a run in the top of the second when Sebastien Reis hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Luis Tejada to make it home. Fitchburg notched two more runs with a line drive down right field from Matthew Kelly (E. Bridgewater, MA). 

- In the top of the third, JD Norman singled to left center, bringing in Jacob Boudreau and allowing Kyle Hsu to advance to third. Later in the inning, Hsu scored off a sacrifice fly from Tejada.

- In the top of the fourth, the Raiders scored on a throwing error by the catcher. In the bottom half, Fitchburg managed to maintain the lead when Abt hit a double, which brought in two runners.

- The Raiders closed the gap at the top of the fifth when Owen Medlock hit an RBI single to center field, which scored Dylan Aliberti.

-The Raiders went scoreless in the top of the sixth. The Falcons were able to notch one more when Abt hit another RBI single to center field, bringing home Jake Santulli (Wolcott, CT).

-The Raiders once again managed to tie the game up in the top of the seventh when Tejada came home off of a single to right center field from Aliberti. Following that, Medlock also singled to center field, bringing in Aliberti. However, at the bottom of the seventh, the Falcons took the lead back and grew their lead to 11-7 after Santulli hit a single that plated Benjamin Rewenko (Burlington, CT). Following this was a hit by pitch and a walk brought home two more Falcons. Finally ending the inning with a sacrifice fly by Abt. 

- The Falcons extended their lead with the final score of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Benjamin Forbes (Ashburnham, MA) would score on a wild pitch.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Chris Volino suffered the loss (0-1) after giving up three hits in 1.1 innings pitched while striking out one batter.

-  Jovanni Merced (Springfield, MA) came out with the win (1-0) after allowing two hits in one inning pitched while striking out one batter.

- Hits: Fitchburg 12, Rivier 9

UP NEXT:

Fitchburg State baseball will return to action this Friday when it hosts the Bears of Bridgewater State at 3:00 PM to continue MASCAC action. 

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