Fitchburg, MA --- The WPI baseball team went on the road Monday afternoon and defeated Fitchburg State 8-4 in non-conference action at Riccards Field.  With the victory, WPI improves to 17-15 on the season, while Fitchburg State dips to 22-16 on the year.

The Engineers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, touching for five runs in the first inning highlighted by a RBI single from Brendan Walsh (Windham, RI), a two-run single off the bat of DJ Ouellette (Watertown, MA), a RBI ground out by John Caliri (Hanson, MA) and a Will Feraco(Auburn, MA) sacrifice fly. Fitchburg State scraped its way back, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame and single runs over the fourth and fifth innings. WPI would have the final say however with a solo homer by David Trujillo (Sutton, MA) in the third and solo runs in the seventh (Ouellette RBI single) and eighth (Walsh Sac Fly) innings to put the game away.

For the Crimson and Gray Zach Blanchard (Warwick, RI) led the way, hitting 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of walks, while Ouellette and Vinny D'Ambrosio (Mahopac, NY) both added a pair of hits. Sam Miraglia (Babylon, NY) earned the victory in relief tossing 2 2/3 shutout innings.Taylor Landry (Kennebunk, ME) and closer Dan Bettigole (South Windsor, CT) each pitched a perfect inning to secure the win.

For the Falcons, sophomore Brendan Cutler (Clinton, MA) and junior Pierce Hans (Washington Township, NJ) led the way, finishing a combined 4-for-6 at the plate, with two runs scored and one RBI. Senior David Mason (Leominster, MA) added a double, while sophomore Derrick Frazier(Beverly, MA) chipped in with a 1-for-3 effort and one RBI. On the hill, freshman Jake Kelley (N. Chelmsford, MA) was touched with the loss, yielding five runs (three earned) on four hits in just 0.1 innings of work. Classmate Tyler Smith (New Milford, CT) was strong in relief for the Falcons, scattering four hits and one run over 5.2 innings.

WPI closes out its 2014 campaign Tuesday at Brandeis at 3:30pm. Fitchburg State will be back in action on Thursday as it visits Westfield State for quarterfinal round action of the 2014 MASCAC Tournament. 

Release Courtesy Fitchburg State Sports Information