FITCHBURG — As far as debuts go, the first game for both the Fitchburg A’s and Matthew Pingitore in a managerial role can certainly be classified as memorable.
Pingitore came off the bench to deliver a crucial double in the bottom of the seventh before scoring the tying run against the Clinton 76ers, with the A’s going on to win their CNEBA debut, 3-2 in eight innings at St. Bernard’s.
“It feels great. We were trying to get everyone in and get everyone some action today,” Pingitore said. “It just seemed like the best spot to get myself in and it worked out.
“I was just looking for something to hit. It’s been a while.”
The Fitchburg State grad belted a 1-0 pitch to the right-center gap with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, narrowly missing a home run. Jamie Velez followed by chopping the ball off the plate, reaching on an infield single to put runners at the corners.
Pingitore took a wide turn at third and drew a throw that eluded the Clinton third baseman, allowing the first-year manager to cross home and tie the game.
“Most of this team is Fitchburg State guys and Fitchburg baseball has always been resilient,” Pingitore said. “We weren’t going to give up tonight. It’s the first time any of us have really faced live pitching in months, so it took a little while for us to get going.
“Everyone was finally getting comfortable in the box again.”
The majority of the A’s either currently play for or have played for Fitchburg State. The Falcons managed to play just nine games in the spring before the season was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s different playing in this league, but it will be good for us,” Pingitore said.
After TJ Laramie (2 IP, 1 BB, 4 K) retired the side with a trio of strikeouts in the top of the eighth, the A’s wasted little time ending the game as darkness loomed. Following a leadoff single and stolen base by Johan Ascencio (2-for-4), the 76ers managed to record a pair of outs. Kyle Deroma walked before Zach Gitchier delivered a base hit up the middle to plate Ascencio with the winning run.
Fitchburg (1-0) had pulled ahead in the fourth as Jordan Kjoniksen scored on a singe by Zach Gull off Clinton starter Joe Latino (4 IP, 3 H, 5 K). But the lead quickly slipped away in the sixth as reliever Joseph Powers struggled with his footing and command.
Clinton (0-1) took advantage of three straight walks to open the frame, with a fourth free pass issued to AJ Vorce forcing in Tanyon Ventles.
AJ Papandrea then put the guests in front, grounding out to shortstop, but driving in a run in the process.
