ROME, Ga. - The Fairmont State University baseball opened the 2024 season against Shorter University. The Hawks bested the Falcons in the doubleheader, 8-1 and 5-2.

Game 1: Shorter 8, Fairmont State 1

In the opening game of the day, both collected a hit in the first inning but neither side scored. Fairmont State broke the scoreless tie as Quintin Smith lifted a home run over the high left field wall for the early 1-0 edge.

The Falcons held the advantage until the bottom of the third when Shorter took the lead with a two-run double to right field. The next at-bat, the home side added to its lead with a two-run home run.

Leading 4-1, the Hawks kept the offense going in the fourth with another two-run double. In the top of the sixth, Fairmont State pieced together two hits that resulted in runners on the corners with two outs. Unfortunately, the team was unable to plate a run in the effort.

Shorter added once more to its advantage with a solo homer to left field. The Falcons once again left runners in scoring position in the seventh as the Hawks scored the games final run.

FSU's last chance game in the eighth but two men were left on base.

Game 2: Shorter 5, Fairmont State 2

Shorter wasted little time jumping ahead in game two as a sacrifice fly and passed ball brought home two runs in the opening frame. Following a 1-2-3 inning by the Falcons, the home team used an RBI single to go ahead, 3-0.

Fairmont State found its first run in the third as Micah Canterbury led the inning off with a triple. After a Vince Sabatino walk, Connor Bailey grounded out but brought home Canterbury to make it a 3-1 game.

After stranding a runner the in the bottom half of the inning, the Falcons looked to keep the momentum going. With two singles to start the fourth, Zach Brennan grounded to third but there was an error on the play. The mistake allowed Cameron Sheets to score from second to make it a 3-2 score. 

However, the close game was short lived as Shorter scored two in its half of the inning for the three-run (5-2) edge. 

In the top of the fifth, Fairmont State had two runners on with two outs but threat was over after a successful pick-off to close out the inning.

The final chance for the Falcons came in the top of the seventh as Hudson Smith drew a lead-off walk. FSU was unable to advance the runner and ultimately fell by the three-run difference.

Fairmont State (0-2) concludes its trip to Georgia on Saturday, February 9 in the final game of the series against Shorter University. First pitch is set for 10:00 a.m.