Softball Picks Up Split On Final Day Of Space Coast Games

Grass sets program record for runs scored in a career at 101

Melbourne, FL: The Fitchburg Softball team registered a split on the final day of their spring trip at the Space Coast Games today as the Falcons earned an 8-0 triumph over the Trojans of Hannibal LaGrange in the opener before falling 6-0 to the Conquistadors of Florida National in the nightcap.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 3/15/24

- Score: Fitchburg State 8, Hannibal LaGrange 0 (GM1)

- Score: Fitchburg State 0, Florida National 6 (GM2)

- Records: Fitchburg State (3-6, 0-0 MASCAC), Hannibal LaGrange (0-18)

- Records: Fitchburg State (3-7, 0-0 MASCAC), Florida National (17-13)

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game One

-  Fitchburg State opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as senior Molly Grass (Rockland, MA) singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single by junior Julia Gauvin (Granby, MA) before junior Isabella Sousa (Charlton, MA) ripped a two-run double to right field, plating freshman Jessica Mueller (Fitchburg, MA) and Gauvin for the 3-0 advantage.

- The Falcons pushed the lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth when senior Lauren Kirkconnell (Dayville, CT) walked move second on a base hit from sophomore Adria McKenzie (Lowell, MA) and score on a throwing miscue, while Grass drove in McKenzie with single up the middle and Gauvin laced a two-run double to center. The Green and Gold secured the victory in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases on an Ella Marshall (Gloucester, MA) walk, a Kirkconnell hit by pitch and fielders' choice from McKenzie before newcomer Danielle Forth (Templeton, MA) RBI single to left, resulting in the 8-0 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

-  This afternoon's contest marked the second meeting between the Trojans and Falcons on the softball field with Fitchburg State 2-0 all-time when taking on Hannibal LaGrange

-  Gauvin led the way for the Falcons, going 2-for-3 with double, one run scored and three RBI

-  Sousa added two hits, including a double and two RBI

-  Sophomore Madison Solt (Salem, NH) collected the win for Fitchburg State, allowing just two hits with three walks and one K in the complete game effort

-  For the Trojans, freshman Sabrina Morgan (Killeen, TX) went 1-for-2

-  Senior McKenzie Bensinger (O'Fallon, MD) chipped in with one hit

-  Morgan took the loss for Hannibal LaGrange, giving up eight runs (5 earned) on eight hits and three walks over four innings pitched

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game Two

-  Florida National opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as senior Gabi De Oliveira Obando (Sao Paulo, Brazil) tripled to right field to plate junior Yleisha Perez (Apopka, FL) before Obando crossed the plate on a throwing miscue for the 2-0 advantage. The Conquistadors pushed the lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth with Pere, Obando and junior Madison Chiudina (Brewster, NY) registered RBI base knocks.

- Fitchburg State threatened in the top of the sixth with Gauvin opening the frame with a single to left field, moving to second on a Sousa walk before junior Ella Marshall (Gloucester, MA) dropped down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third, but Florida National hurler Sophia White (Jupiter Farms, FL) worked out of the jam unscathed. The Conquistadors secured the victory in the bottom of the sixth as freshman Bianca Bartow (Tampa, FL) came around to score on a wild pitch, resulting in the 6-0 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  This evening's contest marked the first ever meeting between the two teams on softball field with the Falcons 0-1 all-time when taking on the Conquistadors

-  Grass led the way for the Falcons, hitting 1-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt

-  Gauvin and McKenzie added one hit each for the Green and Gold

-  Senior Mary Kate Moreau (Berkley, MA) suffered the setback for Fitchburg State, giving up six runs (3 earned) on eight hits with three K's and one walk over six innings of work

-  For the Conquistadors, Obando finished 3-for-3 with a triple, one run scored and two RBI

-  Pere chipped in with one hit, two runs scored and one RBI

-  White collected the win for Florida National, allowing just three hits with 11 strikeouts and four walks in the complete game effort

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State returns to action on Thursday as they travel to Dean College to take on the Bulldogs for a non-conference twin bill, starting at 3:00PM.

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