Late-Inning Comebacks Sink Falcons in Doubleheader at MCLA
April 4, 2026

Late-Inning Comebacks Sink Falcons in Doubleheader at MCLA

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Westfield, MA - The Fitchburg State baseball team dropped a pair of MASCAC contests to MCLA on Saturday, falling by scores of 7–6 and 9–7.

The Basics

Game 1 Score: Fitchburg State 6, MCLA 7
Game 2 Score: Fitchburg State 7, MCLA 9

Records: Fitchburg State (3-17, 1-7 MASCAC) | MCLA (8-8, 2-3 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Game 1

MCLA took an early 2–0 lead in the second inning behind an RBI double from Chris Vargas and an RBI single by Joe Sardo. Fitchburg State responded with a four-run third inning. Tyler Fonck delivered an RBI single, later stole third and scored on an error, while Erick Dawson added an RBI base hit and Casey Bellew scored on a wild pitch to give the Falcons a 4–2 advantage.

The Falcons added two more runs in the fourth inning when Fonck laced a two-run double to score Joseph Abt and Jason Kelly, extending the lead to 6–2. MCLA chipped away with a run in the fourth before tying the game in the sixth on a two-run single from Roshan Warriar.

The Trailblazers completed the comeback in the seventh inning as Vargas delivered an RBI double before Benjamin Jacob followed with a walk-off RBI single to secure the 7–6 victory.

Fitchburg State received a solid start from Adam Wholley in game one, as the right-hander allowed just one earned run over 4.1 innings while striking out three, but the bullpen was unable to hold the late lead as William Ernst was tagged with the loss after surrendering four runs (three earned) over the final two frames. 

Game 2

Fitchburg State came out strong in the second game, scoring three runs in the first inning. Erick Dawson delivered an RBI single before Benjamin Forbes reached on an error that brought in two more runs. The Falcons extended the lead to 5–0 in the second inning on a two-run single from Dawson and made it 6–0 in the third as Ruairi Rago scored on a wild pitch.

MCLA answered with a five-run third inning to cut the deficit to 6–5, highlighted by a two-run double from Jake Jasminski. The Trailblazers continued the rally in the fourth inning, scoring three runs to take an 8–6 lead, with Joe Sardo driving in two and Jasminski adding another RBI.

Fitchburg State got one back in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from Jason Kelly to make it 8–7, but MCLA added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning. The Falcons were unable to rally late as MCLA held on for the 9–7 win.

Owen Corcoran had the ball on the mound for the Falcons, and was charged with five runs over 2.1 innings before Pete Joslyn provided brief relief, tossing 0.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Ryan DiSano absorbed the loss after allowing three runs in one inning of work, while Thomas Watts closed things out with two innings of relief, giving up one unearned run and striking out three.

By The Numbers

  • Erick Dawson led the Falcons in game two with three RBI on two hits

  • Joseph Abt went 4-for-5 with two runs scored in the second contest

  • Tyler Fonck recorded three RBI in game one

  • Maxwell Riordan combined for three hits, including a double, with a walk and stolen base across the doubleheader

  • Fitchburg State totaled 21 hits over the two games

  • MCLA scored 16 runs on 21 hits in the twin bill

Up Next

Fitchburg State returns to action with continued MASCAC play Tuesday at home for a double header vs Worcester State starting at 2 PM. 

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