FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University baseball team defeated the visiting Bears of Bridgewater State University, 10-6, in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon from Riccards Field.

The host Falcons improve to 17-6 on the season and 8 -1 in the MASCAC, while the visiting Bears fall to 8-13 overall and 5-5 in conference play.

Fitchburg State took a 4-0 advantage in the bottom of the first as the Falcons took advantage of two BSU errors in the frame. Junior Joshua Macomber (Berkley, Mass.) laced a two-run single to right center, while sophomore Brandon Lefebvre (Leominster, Mass.) added an RBI fielder's choice.

The Falcons tacked on another unearned run in the second on senior Noah Milliard's (Leominster, Mass.) sacrifice fly

Bridgewater State cut the deficit to 5-1 in the top of the third when freshman Liam Bell (Wells, Maine) ripped an RBI single up the middle to bring in sophomore Matt McDonald (Randolph, Mass.).

The Bears continued to battle, plating two runs in the top of the fourth as senior Dominic Precopio (Framingham, Mass.) singled in a run before McDonald added a sacrifice fly to center field to make the score 5-3.

The Falcons answered back in the bottom of the fourth with sophomore Nicholas Cordeau (Melrose, Mass.) swiping home plate on a double steal for the 6-3 edge before the Green and Gold extended their margin to 9-3 in the fifth as junior Brennan Cuddahy (Leominster, Mass.) blasted a three-run shot to straight away center.

Bridgewater State chipped away at the lead with three runs in the eighth as Precopio and junior Jonathan Livolsi (Bridgewater, Mass.) both came home on a throwing error, while senior Gavin Sparkman (Beverly, Mass.) delivered a run scoring single to center to cut the deficit to 9-6.

The Falcons got one back in the home half of the eighth as Milliard ed off the frame with a base hit and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Junior Richard Sharp (Townsend, Mass.) earned the win for Fitchburg State, allowing three runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. Sharp (4-1) walked one and fanned six.

Sophomore Matt Josselyn (Hanson, Mass.) took the loss for Bridgewater State, giving up nine runs (six earned) on eight hits over five innings of work. Josselyn (1-2) walked two and struck out two.

Senior Jack Mannion (Dorchester, Mass.) pitched well in relief for the Bears as he tossed two scoreless and hitless innings with three strikeouts.

The Bears committed seven errors in the contest, while the Falcons were charged with four miscues.

Cuddahy led the way for the Falcons, going 1-for-4 with a home run, one run scored and three RBI. Macomber added two hits, two runs scored and two RBI for the Green and Gold.

Precopio finished 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI for the Bears. Livolsi (2-for-4, 2 runs) and senior Kevin Bresciani (Hopedale, Mass.) also recorded multiple hits for Bridgewater State. Bresciana went 2-for-5 with a run. Sparkman (2-for-4) and Bell (1-for-2) chipped in with one RBI each for the visitors.

The Bears banged out 11 hits in the game.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday afternoon in Bridgewater with game one of a doubleheader getting underway at one.