FITCHBURG, Mass. – Lesley University fell to Fitchburg State University 6-2 in a non-conference tilt on a cold, windy Thursday afternoon at Riccards Field. Freshman left-hander Evan Meleedy (Lakeville, Mass.) was dialed in for the Falcons tossing eight innings while recording five punch-outs to in the win. Fitchburg State improves to 4-8 with the win while Lesley slips to 3-8 on the season.
Meleedy scattered seven hits and two runs (both unearned) while walking three to move to 1-1 on the season. Lynx junior J.P. Agiorgousis (Hanscom, Mass.) suffered the loss for the Lynx.
After a scoreless top of the first inning Fitchburg State took advantage of several Lynx miscues, drawing four walks and scoring a pair of runs on passed balls to stake an early 2-0 advantage.
The Lynx would immediately cut that lead in half in the top half of the second. Senior Casey Blanchard (Bernardston, Mass.) led off the inning with a single before sophomore Justin Clark (Chino Hills, Calif.) followed with a single of his own. Clark's single would be misplayed in the Falcons outfield to allow both Lynx runners to move into scoring position. Blanchard would then cross the plate on a fielder's choice off the bat of freshman Vincent Taliercio (Valley Stream, N.Y.).
Fitchburg State answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning before Lesley took advantage of a pair of Falcons errors in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Falcons would give themselves some breathing room with a trio of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Roel Fernandez (Cape Coral, Fla.) registered the third single of the inning to bring home freshman Riley Shea (Centerville, Mass.) before a fielder's choice by sophomore Andrew Mooney (Framingham, Mass.) plated junior Sam Brown (Nepean, Ontario). Fitchburg State would cap the scoring in the inning – and the game – when Fernandez would later score on a passed ball.
The Lynx would produce singles in the sixth, seventh, and eighth but were unable to manufacture any additional offense before Falcons sophomore Joey St. Hillaire (Chelmsford, Mass.) came in for a scoreless ninth to secure the win for the hosts.
Meleedy cruised in his final three innings of work allowing just three hits and striking out three during that time before giving the ball over to sophomore Joey St. Hillaire in the ninth inning to close the door and give Fitchburg State the 6-2 victory.
Fernandez led the offensive attack for the Falcons, going 3-for-4 at the dish with three singles and driving in one.
Clark and junior Mike Slaby (Foxboro, Mass.) each had 2-for-3 days at the plate for the Lynx while Blanchard finished 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Lesley will face a quick turnaround and kick off a three-game New England Collegiate Conference set with a doubleheader against Newbury College tomorrow at the New England Baseball Complex. First pitch is slated for 3:30p.
Fitchburg State (4-8) returns to Riccards Field on Saturday for a double-header against Wentworth Institute of Technology starting at 12:00p.