By Adam Levne
Sports Editor
The number one seeded Framingham State Rams fell to the fifth seeded Mass. Maritime Academy Buccaneers May 13.
Framingham clinched the MASCAC Regular Season Title for the first time in program history with a doubleheader sweep over the Fitchburg State Falcons May 6.
Head Coach Sean Callahan said, “It's just tremendous.
“They worked hard and the boys really earned it. Doing something for the first time - it's obviously tough - and we're just excited,” he added.
FSU Athletic Director Tom Kelly said, “It was history and I’m so proud of those guys.
“They overcame obstacles and they dug their heels in and just came to play. I'm just so proud of those guys,” he added.
As the number one seed, the Rams hosted the MASCAC championship tournament.
The Rams beat the Mass. Maritime Academy Buccaneers 7-6 in the MASCAC quarterfinals May 11.
The Rams’ starting pitcher, Vincent LoGuidice, threw for seven innings, only allowing two runs.
LoGuidice said, “I left it up to the defense a lot, and they made all the plays for me.
“Couldn't have done it without my guys behind me,” he added.
Framingham outfielder Ryan Boyle scored the first three runs of the game with a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning.
Boyle’s home run gave the Rams an early 3-0 lead over the Buccaneers.
Framingham led 7-5 entering the top of the ninth inning, needing three outs to end the game.
The Buccaneers first batter hit a rocket to deep left field, but Boyle robbed Mass. Maritime’s much-needed home run.
Boyle said he “felt fine” after he flipped over the fence to make the incredible catch.
He said, “Well my teammate, Shane [Costello], didn’t really warn me that the fence was there because if he did, I probably wouldn’t have caught it.
“I’ll give him credit for that,” Boyle added.
Callahan said, “That was one of the best plays I've ever seen in person - 100%.
“Ryan Boyle was fantastic today. He was absolutely tremendous and he showed why he's one of the best leaders on this team,” he added.
Framingham faced the second seeded, and returning MASCAC Champions, the Bridgewater State Bears in the MASCAC semifinals May 12.
The Bears held a 6-1 lead after a dominant fourth, fifth, and sixth innings.
Framingham scored five runs and tied the game during the bottom of the seventh inning.
Bridgewater scored a run during the top of the eighth inning and secured their 7-6 victory over the Rams.
Framingham dropped to the lower bracket, where they faced the Mass. Maritime Academy Buccaneers for a rematch in the lower-bracket semifinals May 13.
The Buccaneers scored two runs during the fourth inning and took a 2-0 lead.
Framingham’s outfielder, Shane Costello, hit an RBI double to put the Rams on the board during the bottom of the seventh inning.
During the bottom of the eighth inning, Rams outfielder Caleb Hendrix tied the game 2-2 with a solo-home run.
Mass. Maritime rallied for six runs during the top of the ninth inning and secured their 8-2 victory over the Rams.
Despite Framingham’s loss, pitcher Adam Martin threw for seven innings, only allowing two runs and striking out eight batters.
Framingham ended their season 26-15 and won the MASCAC Regular Season Title for the first time in program history.
One of Framingham’s captains, pitcher Scott Nosky, said the progress from last season to now is “huge.”
He said he hopes baseball can add another MASCAC for Rams Athletics. “We know we can do it.”
Framingham’s other captain, shortstop Steven Burbank, said, “This year my teammates supported me and it led to a better individual season, and a better team successful season, and I couldn't be more proud of them.
“We fought to the very end and I couldn't be any happier or more proud of my teammates,” he added.
Hendrix, who ended his freshman season with a home run, said the team’s success is an “amazing feeling.”
He said, “Being a freshman - coming in, getting playing time, having an impact - has been great.
“We can play. We just got to go out there and make the plays - do our job - we'll do great,” Hendrix added.
He said he believes next year the team will play even better.
Callahan said, “The program's in a good place.
“The guys are young. They're motivated. They want to play for each other,” he said.
“I think going forward, it's going to be very competitive, and they're going to hold a high standard,” he added.