Northboro, MA --- Senior Vinny D'Ambrosio (Mahopac, NY), junior Nick Comei (Haverhill, MA) and sophomore Evan Lacroix (Methuen, MA) all registered a trio of hits as WPI defeated visiting Fitchburg State, 18-6, Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference baseball matchup at the New England Baseball Complex.
Fitchburg State (5-10) dented the scoreboard first when sophomore Nathan Littman (Abington, MA) drove a two-out RBI double to left center in the top of the third. The lead would be short lived as WPI (14-6) plated three in the home half of the frame. Senior Alex Venditti (Newton, MA) used an RBI ground out to even the game early before D'Ambrosio and Comei touched home on an infield miscue put into play by senior John Mulready (Rockland, MA).
The Falcons pulled one back courtesy of a run-producing single by senior Robert Lewis (Palm Coast, FL). Comei responded with an RBI knock to left and Venditti once again helped manufacture a run with a ground out as the Engineers led 5-2 after four.
WPI tacked on three more in the fifth and five in the sixth, highlighted by a three-run shot to left by Lacroix in the earlier frame. The top of the sixth saw junior Steven Drury (Leominster, MA) deliver a two-run single to center as the Falcons continued to chip away at the deficit. Fitchburg State made it a 13-6 ballgame with a pair in the top of the seventh behind a 2-RBI single to center by senior Brendan Cutler (Clinton, MA).
Senior Sean Greene (Hingham, MA) contributed with an RBI double down the left field line to chase Venditti home. Later in the stanza, senior John Caliri (Hanson, MA) drilled a 2-RBI single to right field, freshman Steven Gallagher (Coventry, RI) added an RBI hit to center and junior Joe Fainer (Thomaston, CT) lifted a sacrifice fly to center for the 18-6 advantage through seven.
D'Ambrosio (3-for-4, double, sac bunt, RBI, run), Comei (3-for-6, two RBI, run) and Lacroix (3-for-4, HR, three RBI, three runs) were joined in the multiple hit club by senior DJ Ouellette (Watertown, CT) (2-for-5, two RBI, two runs), senior John Caliri (Hanson, MA) (2-for-5, two RBI, two runs) and Gallagher (2-for-5, RBI, two runs). Venditti added two RBI and a pair of runs as Capuano also crossed home plate twice in addition to accounting for three of the Engineers four free passes. Greene and senior Anthony Capuano (Stoneham, MA) also doubled for WPI.
Freshman Austin Labastie (Mendon, MA), Adam Bettigole (South Windsor, CT) and Sam Bacchaocchi (Freetown, MA), as well as sophomore Drew Gelinas (Saco, ME) combined for five scoreless innings while freshman Doug Rives (Bethany, CT) (1-0), junior Mike Duclos (Greenfield, MA), junior Dan Bettigole (South Windsor, CT) and freshman Robert Chase (Grand Isle, VT) also saw time on the bump for WPI.
The Engineers turned three double plays in the contest with Venditti contributing to all three. D'Ambrosio and Comei each had a part in two of them and Gallagher helped on one.
Cutler and Drury each batted 2-for-3 with a double, a pair of RBI and a run scored for Fitchburg State. Senior Mike Martignetti (Boston, MA) walked twice for the Falcons and Littman chipped in with a double and a stolen base.
Junior Andrew Lessard (Peabody, MA) (0-4), junior Tom Gammell (Mattapoisett, MA), freshman Joe Feckley (Leominster, MA) and freshman David Broden (Lunenburg, MA) took to the mound for at least an inning for the guests.
The Engineers host Babson at Assumption Saturday for a NEWMAC doubleheader beginning at noon. The Falcons entertain Clark tomorrow for a single game at 3pm.
Click HERE if the video does not appear below