WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State senior Shane Bogli (Vernon, Conn.) set the tone in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference opener against Fitchburg State, firing a complete game as the Owls defeated the Falcons, 4-2, on a Friday afternoon from Riccards Field in Fitchburg, Mass.
Bogli (W, 3-1) went the distance for Westfield, pitching all nine innings while allowing two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts. The senior right-hander only got stronger as the game went on, retiring the final nine hitters of the game to secure his third win of the season.
The Owls got on the board in the top half of the first, as sophomore Trey Faulkner (Springfield, Mass.) delivered on a two-out two RBI double that split the left-center field gap to score Nick Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and Samuel Palmer (Medfield, Mass.).
Westfield State stranded two baserunners in the second, fourth, and sixth innings while also leaving a man on third base with one out in the fifth as Falcons starter Orion Daily (Nantucket, Mass.) worked through a multitude of jams.
In the bottom of the sixth frame, Bogli suffered his lone blemish of the game, allowing a two-run home run to cleanup hitter Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) to even the game, 2-2.
The Owls separated themselves in the top of the eighth inning, starting with Zack Graveline (Prospect, Conn.) who led off with a single down the left field line. Damien Maniscalco (Branford, Conn.) then advanced Graveline into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, allowing Martin to tee up the go-ahead run on a double to left. The Falcons defense coughed up an error with two out to score another Owls run to extend the lead to 4-2.
Bogli returned to the mound with the lead in the final two innings and was ultra-efficient, sitting down the final six hitters of the game to give the Owls their first win in conference action.
Daily turned in a quality start for Fitchburg State, logging seven innings and allowing two runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Jovanni Merced (Springfield, Mass.) came in relief of Daily and took the loss after covering the final two innings and surrendering two runs (one earned).
The victory advances Westfield State to 8-6 on the season and 1-0 in MASCAC play. The Falcons drop to 3-15 overall and 0-1 in conference action.
The series shifts to Westfield State as the Owls and Falcons will play a doubleheader set on Saturday afternoon starting at 12:00 P.M. from Bud and Jim Hagan Field.