Softball snags two wins over Blazers of Elms

Chicopee, MA – The Fitchburg State softball team earned 6–3 and 6-0 victories over Elms College in non-conference action, picking up a two strong road wins.

The Basics

Final scores:

Game 1: Fitchburg 6, Elms 3  

Game 2: Fitchburg 6, Elms 0

Records: Fitchburg (3-13, 0-2) Elms (0-15, 0-4) 

Game 1

Fitchburg State struck first in the second inning, taking advantage of timely extra-base hitting. Sophomore Ariana Baez paced the offense with an RBI double to bring home junior Julia Cooper, while sophomore Emily Bennett followed with an RBI groundout to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. The Falcons added another run in the third inning when Baez delivered again, ripping her second RBI double of the game to score sophomore Carolyn Brodeur and extend the advantage to 3-0.

Elms responded in the fourth inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues to tie the game at 3-3. The Blazers scored all three runs in the frame, with two coming on a fielding error and another on a sacrifice fly.

Fitchburg State regained control in the sixth inning, plating three runs to break the tie. Freshman Danika Quinn came around to score on a passed ball, while freshman Kiley Connors added a sacrifice fly to bring home freshman Amaya Carrion. Freshman Chloe Bafundo capped the rally with an RBI single to center, scoring Bennett and pushing the lead to 6-3. At the plate, the Falcons totaled nine hits. Baez finished with two doubles and two RBI, while Bafundo and Carrion each recorded two hits. Bennett added an RBI in the winning effort.

In the circle, senior Madison Solt earned the win, in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and allowing just one hit to secure the victory.

Game 2

Fitchburg State wasted no time getting on the board, scoring twice in the opening inning. Freshman Kiley Connors crossed the plate on an Elms error, while sophomore Ariana Baez followed with an RBI groundout to give the Falcons an early 2-0 lead. The Falcons extended their advantage in the fifth inning when junior Julia Cooper delivered an RBI single to score Connors, making it 3-0.

Fitchburg State broke the game open in the sixth inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues by Elms. Connors drove in a run after reaching on an error, while freshman Chloe Bafundo added another RBI as the Falcons pushed the lead to 5-0. The Falcons added an insurance run in the seventh inning when senior Shaelyn Burns came around to score on an RBI single from freshman pitcher Alison Hazel, sealing the 6-0 final.

Offensively, Fitchburg State totaled 11 hits in the contest. Connors led the way with two hits and three runs scored, while Cooper and Hazel each recorded two hits and an RBI. Bafundo and Baez also drove in runs in the victory. In the circle, Hazel was dominant, tossing a complete-game shutout. The freshman allowed just five hits while walking three and striking out two over seven innings of work.

By the Numbers

• Fitchburg State scored a total of 12 runs across both contests.
• The Falcons collected 20 hits in the two games, led by Kiley Connors, who had 4 hits and 3 runs scored.
• Julia Cooper added 3 hits and 2 RBIs, while Chloe Bafundo contributed 2 hits and 2 RBIs.
• Ariana Baez drove in 3 runs on 3 hits, helping Fitchburg State jump out early in both games.
• Alison Hazel threw a complete-game shutout in the second game, allowing 5 hits and 2 strikeouts.
• The team recorded 3 stolen bases, with Connors and Bafundo swiping multiple bags.
• Fitchburg State benefited from Elms' defensive miscues, scoring several unearned runs in both games.

Up Next

The Falcons will return home on Friday at Coolige Park to host New England College for a doubleheader, scheduled for 3 and 5 pm. 

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