Baseball Drops Conference Opener to Vikings

SALEM, MA: Fitchburg State baseball lost in its conference opener to the Salem State Vikings this afternoon.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 3/29/24

- Score: Salem 12, Fitchburg 5

- Records: Salem (8-4, 1-0 MASCAC), Fitchburg (5-12, 0-1 MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  After the Falcons took a 1-0 on an RBI single to left by Adam Koza (Windham, MA), the Vikings quickly bounced back to take the lead in the bottom of the second. After plating two, Salem would tack on three more in the third and two in the fourth. In the top of the fifth, Fitchburg would later cut the deficit to just two at 5-7 on a two-run double to right center from Jacob Hurrell (Haverhill, MA). Followed by another Koza single that brought in one more. Salem wasn't done, however, as they added on two in the seventh and another three in the eighth to get the final.   

- Antonio Belgrove brought in three runs while at the plate this afternoon on two doubles and a sac fly. Aidan Lynch also had three RBIs on a bases clearing triple.    

- The Falcons were paced by Koza and Hurrell, who both had two hits in the ball game and two runs batted in. Hurrell added two runs scored and two walks to his stat line.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Kyle Banche (W, 1-1) got the win after pitching the final 4.2 innings. During that time, he allowed just two hits while striking out four.

-  Joseph Hartnett (N. Attleboro, MA) (L, 1-2) suffered the loss after surrendering eight hits and seven runs while striking out seven.

-  Hits: Salem 12, Fitchburg 10

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State baseball will be back on Monday at 1 PM to finish the three-game series with Salem. The second game will follow at 3:30 PM.

STAY CONNECTED:

- For the latest on Fitchburg State University Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.