By Jen Fortin
Framingham State won against Nichols College on Sunday, by a score of 5-4.
After a slow three innings for both teams, the Rams struck first in the fourth inning with a double by Ryan Wardwell to score Manny Powers.
The FSU defense prevented a run from scoring in the bottom of the fourth after Matt Hardy singled and advanced to third base. The Rams got of the jam, leaving Hardy stranded at third.
The team had a series of hits in the top of the fifth, beginning with a single from Aaron Williams. Jordan Pallazolla documented one of his two RBIs, after his single to the left side scored Kyle Lippert, who had reached on a fielding error.
Williams then scored from a single by Powers to right center and another run came across after Wardwell’s fielder’s choice, extending the Rams’ lead to 4-0.
The Bisons answered in the bottom of the inning with a double by Xavier Quinones which brought in one run.
In the seventh inning, Williams scored again off of a double by Pallazola which was then followed by a quick three outs.
A walk for Nichols began the bottom of the inning which soon turned into a bases loaded, no out jam. A groundball from Chris Cerniglia allowed for the defense to turn a 4-6-3 double play which resulted in one run and two outs for the Bisons. The next batter drove in one more run to cut the score 5-3.
The next two innings proved to be a quick three outs for the Rams’ offense, but the team soon found themselves in trouble in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Only leading by two, a walk and a single put the tying run on base. A fielding error allowed for a run to score and runners again were on first and second. A sac bunt and two ground balls allowed for the Rams’ defense to end the game, giving them the win.
Junior Al Wallach started the game and pitched five innings, striking out two, while allowing four hits and no walks. Sophomore Kevin Connelly stepped in for three innings, having one strikeout, three hits and three walks. Fellow sophomore Michael Raymond closed the game, allowing one hit and one run to score.
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On Wednesday, Framingham lost against Salve Regina 7-4.
Pallazola and Joe Ambrosino each went three-for-four, combining for three RBIs. Kyle Hodgson pitched 5.2 innings and had seven strikeouts while allowing for seven hits and four runs to score. Chris Riga closed the game, striking out three.
The Rams scored one run early on in the first after Williams walked and then scored off of a sac fly to left field by Wardwell.
FSU scored again in the top of the third which began with a double from Kyle Lippert, who then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Lippert then scored the solo run of the inning off of a single from Pallazola.
In the fifth inning, Salve Regina Anally got the bats going with doubles from Christian Vargas and John Militano, which each brought in one run.
Again in the following inning, Salve scored another two runs to take the lead. With two outs and players on second and third, Brody Santilli’s hit brought in two runs. The inning ended with a pick off by pitcher Mike Andrews.
The top of the seventh inning started with a single from Kyle Dembrowski. Roy Goodman was put in to pinch run. Goodman then advanced to third on another single, this time by Pileski. Ambrosino’s single allowed for both Goodman and Pileski to score, tying the game 4-4.
The bottom of the seventh proved to be costly for the Rams. With Salve players on second and third and an intentional walk loaded the bases. Dylan Ketch’s double brought in two runs. With another two walks, the bases were loaded again and a third consecutive walk allowed for another run to score, boosting the Salve lead to 7-4.
A fly ball and two strikeouts for the Rams offense completed the game and left them at 8-8 on the young season.