Worcester State 12, Brandeis 4
Worcester, MA --- Junior Corey McDonald (Hudson, MA) and senior TJ Magnell (Leominster, MA) each went 3-for-4 with six combined RBIs as they helped lead Worcester State to a 12-4 victory this evening over Brandeis in non conference baseball action this afternoon.
Third-year teammates Paul Rodriguez (San Antonio, TX) and Corey Abbascia (Shrewsbury, MA) also rapped out two hits for WSC (17-5-1) as Rodriguez crossed the plate three times. Abbascia along with sophomore Tyler McElman (Marlboro, MA) both scored two runs apiece.
Junior Tony Deshler (Pepperell, MA) was the lone multi-hitter for Brandeis (8-17) as he went 2-for-5 and classmate Eric Rosenberg (Oakland, NJ) added two RBIs.
Third-year left hander Chad Kasik (Dudley, MA) improved his record to 4-2 in the quality start as he has won each of his last three decisions. Kasik allowed one run while he yielded four hits and fanned four in six innings of work.
Kasik was relieved by classmate Bobby DeVito (Webster, MA) who earned his first career save as he tossed the final three frames. DeVito allowed three runs on five hits including a pair of home runs to Deshler and Rosenburg in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. DeVito struck out a pair batters while both he and Kasik walked no one.
Brandeis freshman Dylan Britton (Poughquag, NY) shouldered the setback as he is now 0-3 on the season. Britton lasted 3 1/3 innings giving up six runs (four earned) on six hits as he punched out four. Britton was a little wild on the mound as he issued three walks and he plunked a trio of batters. Britton was reprieved by five hurlers who finished off the game. The bullpen permitted six runs off six hits while they struck out three and issued three free passes.
Worcester State struck first as they took advantage of a miscue in the bottom of the second to plate a pair of unearned runs on a sacrifice fly by Magnell and an RBI single by McDonald.
After a scoreless third, junior Chris Ferro (Walpole, MA) belted his team-leading fourth homer for a solo shot to left center to cut into the lead in the top of the fourth, but the Lancers would take control of the game with a seven-run bottom frame. McDonald and Rodriguez highlighted the scoring for Worcester State as they each jacked three-run homers in the inning.
WSC built up the lead to 12-1 with three runs in the seventh on a run producing double by Magnell, a sac fly by McDonald and an RBI ground out by junior Nick Fluegge (Ware, MA).
With 29 home runs as of this past week, the Lancers are now tied for 20th in the NCAA Division III in homers.
Both teams will play non league opponents on the road on Thursday at 3:30. Worcester State heads south to Nichols while the Judges will travel to Johnson & Wales.