Falcons get split on Senior Day, win in walk-off fashion over Rams

Fitchburg, MA - Today was senior day at Riccards field at Fitchburg State, and the baseball team honored 9 senior falcons pre-game on the field with their families. The Senior list is as follows: #4 Joshua Googins, #7 Casey Bellew, #12 Adam Wholley, #15 Maxwell Riordan, #19 Pete Joslyn, #22 Brady Campbell, #23 Sy Sullivan, #28 William Ernst, and #40 Joseph Abt. Fitchburg State salvaged a split on Senior Day in dramatic fashion on May 3, 2026, walking off Framingham State with a 4–3 victory in Game 2 behind timely hitting and a milestone moment from Joseph Abt. 

The Basics

Final Scores

Game 1: Fitchburg State 4,Framingham State 6

Game 2: Fitchburg State 4, Framingham State 3

Records:  Fitchburg State (11-27, 8-16 MASCAC), Framingham State (9-28, 6-18 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Game 1

Framingham State jumped out quickly, putting pressure on the Falcons from the opening inning. A pair of RBI groundouts in the first gave the Rams an early 2–0 lead, and they added to it in the second inning behind an RBI single from Massimo Mondi and another run-scoring groundout to extend the advantage to 4–0. Fitchburg State starter Adam Wholley took the loss after allowing four runs in the first inning of work, forcing the Falcons to play from behind early. However, the bullpen helped stabilize things, particularly Ryan DiSano, who delivered a solid outing in relief. DiSano tossed 4.2 innings, allowing just two runs while striking out three to keep Fitchburg State within striking distance.

The Falcons began to chip away in the fourth inning. Benjamin Forbes sparked the rally, and Jason Kelly brought home the first run with an RBI groundout. Moments later, Tyler Fonck delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4–2 and inject life into the offense. Framingham State responded in the sixth inning, once again leaning on Mondi, who delivered a two-run single to push the lead back to four runs at 6–2. Fitchburg State refused to go quietly and mounted one final push in the seventh inning. Joseph Abt and Joshua Googins helped set the table before Michael Cooper came through with an RBI single to center field. Later in the inning, Ruairi Rago added a sacrifice fly to bring the Falcons within two at 6–4. Despite tallying 10 hits on the day, Fitchburg State was unable to complete the comeback, as Framingham State's pitching staff shut the door late to secure the victory.

Offensively, several Falcons turned in strong performances. Joseph Abt and Benjamin Forbes each recorded two hits, while Casey Bellew also added a pair of hits and scored a run. Fonck, Kelly, Cooper, and Rago each drove in a run, accounting for the team's balanced offensive production. On the mound, DiSano's effort stood out in relief, helping to limit further damage after the early deficit. Dan Palmer and Nolan Stys also contributed scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Defensively, Fitchburg State committed one error, while also leaving 10 runners on base, which ultimately proved costly in a game where timely hitting could have shifted the outcome.

Game 2

Framingham State struck first in the opening inning, taking a 1–0 lead on an RBI groundout from John Lynch. Fitchburg State wasted little time answering back in the bottom half, loading the bases and tying the game on an RBI walk by Brady Campbell. Moments later, Benjamin Forbes delivered a clutch RBI single to give the Falcons a 2–1 advantage. Fitchburg State added to its lead in the second inning when Joseph Abt laced an RBI double, bringing home Jason Kelly and extending the lead to 3–1. The hit marked a significant milestone, as Abt recorded his 100th career RBI, cementing a standout moment in his collegiate career.

On the mound, Pete Joslyn got the start and worked through the first inning before handing things over to William Ernst, who delivered a strong and steady outing in relief. Ernst tossed six innings, allowing just two runs while keeping the Framingham State offense in check and giving the Falcons a chance to hold the lead. Framingham State chipped away, scoring once in the fourth inning and again in the sixth, both times off RBI singles from Rosco Palmer, eventually tying the game at 3–3.

With the game deadlocked heading into the bottom of the seventh, Fitchburg State found a way to finish. Tyler Fonck, who had a standout day at the plate, sparked the rally, and with runners on base, Joshua Googins put the ball in play. A defensive miscue by Framingham State allowed the winning run to cross the plate, as Fonck scored to seal the 4–3 walk-off victory. Offensively, the Falcons totaled nine hits, with multiple players stepping up. Fonck led the way with three hits and two runs scored, consistently setting the tone at the top of the lineup. Abt added two hits, including his milestone RBI double, while Forbes contributed an RBI single and Campbell drove in a run via walk. Defensively, Fitchburg State played a clean game, committing no errors, a key difference in a tightly contested matchup.

By the Numbers

• Fitchburg State scored 8 total runs across the doubleheader, producing 19 hits while hitting .322 as a team over the two games.
• The Falcons out-hit Framingham State in both games, finishing with 10 hits in Game 1 and 9 hits in Game 2.
• Joseph Abt led the offense with 4 hits in the doubleheader, including a double and his 100th career RBI in Game 2.
• Tyler Fonck recorded 4 hits, scored 2 runs, drove in 1 RBI, and added a stolen base while consistently setting the tone at the top of the lineup.
• Casey Bellew tallied 4 hits and scored 2 runs across the two games, providing steady production in the middle of the order.
• Benjamin Forbes added 3 hits and an RBI, contributing key early offense in both contests.
• Jason Kelly contributed 2 hits, an RBI, and scored multiple runs while also creating pressure on the bases.
• Michael Cooper delivered a clutch RBI hit in Game 1 and added another key RBI in Game 2 as part of the late-game push.
• Fitchburg State drew 5 total walks in the doubleheader, including 4 in the Game 2 victory.
• The Falcons stranded 16 runners on base across both games, highlighting missed scoring opportunities despite strong hit totals.
• Pitching-wise, Ryan DiSano led the staff with 4.2 innings in Game 1, allowing just 2 runs while keeping the Falcons within striking distance.
• William Ernst earned the Game 2 victory with 6.0 innings of relief, allowing only 2 runs and helping secure the walk-off win.
• Fitchburg State pitchers combined for 13 innings, allowing 9 runs on 15 hits while issuing 5 walks.
• Defensively, the Falcons committed just 1 error in Game 1 and played a clean Game 2 with 0 errors.
• Fitchburg State finished the doubleheader with a 1–1 split, closing the regular season on a walk-off victory and positive momentum heading into postseason play.

Up Next

Falcons baseball finished the season today with a final record of 11-27 overall, 8-16 in MASCAC play. They missed the MASCAC tournament and will return to the diamond next spring. 

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