By Riley Crowell, Staff Writer
The Framingham State Rams returned from their eight-game trip to sunny South Carolina with a record of 5-3, facing off against teams from New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
The Rams started the trip with a bang, winning 5-4 over the Keene State Owls March 12.
Framingham’s shortstop Steven Burbank propelled the Rams with a game-tying two-RBI single in the seventh inning. Framingham’s Robert Johnston hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning to clinch the Rams’ victory.
Framingham allowed only one hit as they cruised to a 2-0 victory to complete the sweep of Keene State March 12.
Framingham’s pitcher Vincent LoGuidice excelled on the mound, striking out four batters and conceding zero runs in seven innings pitched.
The St. Joseph’s University (Brooklyn) Bears handed the Rams their first loss of the trip, 5-4, despite a late rally by Framingham March 13.
The Bears struck out 12 batters and capitalized on five errors by Framingham’s fielders to secure the win.
The Susquehanna University River Hawks used seven different pitchers and racked up ten hits on their way to an 8-4 victory over the Rams March 15.
Framingham bounced back in a massive way, with an offensive explosion against the Albertus Magnus College Falcons March 16.
Framingham recorded an impressive 34 runs on 18 hits in a brutal 34-6 beatdown of the Falcons.
Johnston collected a game-high three hits and seven RBI to lead the Rams, with six other Framingham batters having two or more hits on the day.
Framingham’s bats fell quiet in the second game of their doubleheader against Albertus Magnus, losing the game 9-1.
On the last day of the trip, the Rams got back on track with an 8-4 win over the New England College Pilgrims March 17.
Framingham pieced together a six-run first inning, which included a two-RBI single from third baseman Matthew Shaver.
Framingham’s starting pitcher, Scott Nosky, posted a season-high eight strikeouts and only surrendered three hits to the 22 Pilgrim batters he faced.
Nosky said, “I only plan to throw strikes and trust the guys behind me. Our defense makes the plays they need to make and put us in a position to win.
“I feel when I’m on the mound, I have an easy job because they make the plays behind me,” he added.
The Rams concluded their Myrtle Beach trip with a 10-0 victory over New England College in the second game of their doubleheader March 17.
Framingham’s batters scored 10 runs on 11 hits, including contributions of three hits each from center fielder Shane Costello and first baseman Jimmy Gilleran.
LoGuidice led the way on the mound, allowing zero runs and striking out seven of the 20 batters he faced.
As of presstime, the Rams split games with the Lesley College Lynx March 21 and 22.
The Rams hold a record of 6-6 after their opening games, an improvement from their 3-9 record through 12 games last season.
Nosky said, “The community and culture of guys we have this year is truly different from years past, and it’s showing.
“FSU should be prepared for a new banner this year in the gym. … We are getting hot, and we aren’t close to stopping,” he added.
The Rams will be back in action hosting Western New England in a non-conference matchup March 28.