Trailblazers Shutout Game One, Lose on Walk-off Homer in Game Two

 Framingham, Mass. – Senior Tommy Lindberg (Stratford, Conn.) tossed a complete game shutout in the opener and classmate Danny Chaisson hit a two run walk off homerun in the ninth inning as the Framingham State University baseball team defeated MCLA 7-0 and 5-3 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) baseball doubleheader this afternoon at Bowditch Field.       

Lindberg tossed his second shutout of the season as he improved his season record to 6-2 with the victory in game one.  He surrendered just two hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and a walk.  After giving up a single to Mike Meaney (North Adams, Mass.) and issuing a walk with two outs in the third inning, Lindberg did not allow a base runner for the remainder of the game retiring the final 13 men who came to plate for the Trailblazers.

The Rams loaded the bases in the second as sophomore Will Crofton (Hopkinton, Mass.) and senior Danny Chaisson (Watertown, Mass.) were hit by pitches and Matt Roberge (Lowell, Mass.) singled.  Senior Chris Brassard delivered the big hit in the inning lacing a two run double down the right field line to put the Rams up 2-0.

The two runs were all Lindberg needed, but the Rams offense was not done. Senior Corey Ketterer (Plymouth, Mass.) reached on an error in the Trailblazer outfield to lead off the third, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI groundout by catcher Sean Callahan (Watertown, Mass.) as Framingham State extended their lead to 3-0.

The Rams added a single run in the fourth on an RBI single by Brassard and a pair of runs in the fifth on an RBI single by Pedro Acevedo (New Britain, Conn.) and RBI double by Joe Sheehan (Burlington, Mass.) to extend their lead to 7-0 after five.

Brassard went 2-for-3 for the Rams in game one with three RBI, while Crofton went 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

Meaney and freshman Sean Coyle (Middleboro, Mass.) each singled for the Trailblazers in game one, while senior Bobby Beauchesne (Lowell, Mass.) picked up the loss on the hill going 4.2 innings allowing seven runs (three earned) on seven hits.

In game two, the Trailblazers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first off Framingham State starter Ryan Stoller (Milton, Mass.) as Paul Procopio (Pittsfield, Mass.) singled and scored on an error on the throw back into the infield on a Joe Parillo (West Springfield, Mass.) double to right.

The Rams answered with three in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead.  Callahan and Acevedo walked to lead off the inning and Sheehan followed with a double to center that scored Callahan.  Chaisson drove in Acevedo on a groundout and Brassard drove in Sheehan with a single to the gap in left center.

The Rams lead stood until the Trailblazers tied the game in the top of the sixth on a two run homerun by Cody Weaver (Highland, NY).  Senior Matthew Magazine (Marlborough, Mass.) came on in relief in the sixth inning striking out Joe Vaverka (Malden, Mass.) to end the Trailblazers threat and preserve the tie.

Both teams were retired in order in their respective halves of the seventh forcing the game into extra innings.  The Trailblazers threatened in the top of the eighth with runners on first and second and two outs after a single by Beauchesne and a walk, but Magazine induced a ground ball to end the inning.

The Rams went in order in the bottom of the inning and Magazine retired the Trailblazers in order in the top of the ninth with a little help from Sheehan who made an acrobatic catch in foul territory for the innings first out.

In the bottom of the ninth Sheehan reached on an error with one out setting the stage for Chaisson, who lined a two run shot to left field, his third round tripper of the season, for the walk off game winner.

Magazine earned the win tossing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief.  Magazine allowed one hit while striking out four.  Stoller pitched 5.2 innings allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits with seven strikeouts.

Meany made the start for the Trailblazers in game two going five innings allowing three runs on five hits.  Mike Bulett (North Adams, Mass.) picked up the loss in relief as he went 3.1 innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Chaisson went 2-for-4 with three RBI in game two, while Brassard went 1-for-3 and picked up his fourth RBI of the day.  Sheehan had a strong all-around game going 1-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Beauchesne led the Trailblazers with three hits and a run scored, while Weaver went 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI.

The Rams return to action tomorrow on Monday with a non-conference game against UMass Boston at Bowditch field at 3:30 p.m., while the Trailblazers host Bridgewater State on Sunday at 1 p.m.