Softball Falls Twice To Vikings In MASCAC Twin Bill

Connors collects three hits for Green & Gold

Fitchburg, MA. – The Fitchburg State softball team dropped a pair of contests to the Vikings of Salem State this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from the Donna Lee Withington Memorial Field by the scores of 11-0 and 16-3.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Salem State 11 (GM1)
Score: Fitchburg State 3, Salem State 16 (GM2)
Records: Fitchburg State (3-19, 0-8 MASCAC) I Salem State (17-10, 4-2 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Game One

Salem State jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage in the top of the first as Alaina Giuliano crossed the plate on a fielding error before Abigail LaClair doubled down the left field line to bring in Giana Johanson.

The Vikings pushed the lead to 8-0 in the top of the second with Samantha Gaona-Sullivan lacing a two-run single up the middle, while Johanson and LaClair added RBI's for the visitors. Salem State secured the victory in the top of the fifth when Gaona-Sullivan connected on a two-run double to left center, resulting in the 11-0 final.

By The Numbers

• Sophomore Ariana Baez (Methuen, MA) led the way for the Falcons, going 1-for-2 with a triple
• Freshman Kiley Connors (Newington, CT) added one hit for the Green and Gold
• Senior Madison Solt (Salem, NH) took the loss for Fitchburg State, allowing 11 runs (8 earned) on 11 hits and four K's over five innings of work

Game Two

Salem State raced out to a quick 7-0 lead in the top of the first as Paige Souza registered a bases clearing double to left field before Alanis Toledano, Allison Frost and Giuliano added RBI's. The Vikings extended the margin to 13-0 in the top of the third with Gaona-Sullivan and Tara Perryman connecting on two-run singles before LaClair and Abby Richardson added RBI's in the frame.

Fitchburg State answered in the bottom of the third frame when sophomore Lauren Ahearn (Danvers, MA) singled through the left side, advanced to third on a double to center field off the bat of Connors and scored along with Connors an RBI single up the middle off the bat of newcomer Chloe Bafundo (Southington, CT). Following a single from sophomore Priscilla Dillon (Glenville, GA), Bafundo would cross the plate on a groundout to make the score 13-3.

Salem State secured the victory in the top of the fourth as Richardson drove in Ellie Kleinheinz with an RBI groundout, while Gaona-Sullivan added an RBI groundout as well, resulting in the 16-3 final.

By The Numbers

• Connors paced the Falcons, hitting 2-for-3 with a double, triple and one run scored
• Bafundo added one hit, one run scored and one RBI for the Green and Gold
• Freshman Taylor Marino (North Easton, MA) allowed eight runs (6 earned) on nine hits and two strikeouts over 2.2 innings of relief in a no decision for Fitchburg State

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Tuesday as host the Lancers of Worcester State for a MASCAC twin bill, starting at 3:00 PM.

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