Beverly, MA --- Endicott sophomores JJ Branch (Milford, MA) and Davarn Nova (Wareham, MA) combined on a six-hit shutout to help the Gulls blank Worcester State, 2-0, in non-conference baseball action at North Field.

Endicott, who is ranked fourth in the inagural New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) Poll, improved its record to 6-2. With the loss the Lancers fall to 4-8 on the young campaign.

After WSU defeated the Gulls 4-3 last season in a ninth-inning comeback, Endicott went on to win the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament and finish up their 2014 campaign as the NCAA Division III New England Regional finalists.

Endicott got on the board early as they took advantage of an infield miscue to grab the 1-0 lead after the first frame. Sophomore Matthew Paola (Middlebury, CT) contributed a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to produce an unearned run.

The Blue and Gold had their best chance to respond in the top of the fourth when junior Jeff Bolio (Oxford, MA) blasted a two-out double to centerfield. He was stranded, however, when the next batter grounded out to end the threat.

The Gulls added an insurance score on an RBI ground out by freshman Mike Kochiss (Fairfield, CT) to go up 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth.

The Blue and Gold outhit the hosts 6-4, but committed three costly errors on defense which led to both runs being scored for the Gulls.

Junior Zach George (Attleboro, MA) registered a 2-for-2 day at the plate with a pair of singles and a stolen base to lead the Lancers offensively.

Third-year Jared Kuzio (Franklin, MA) was dealt the loss as his record dropped to 0-2. Kuzio allowed one unearned run on two hits with a pair of walks over the first three innings in a tune-up start.

Freshman Andrew Wells (Methuen, MA) fanned two over the middle three frames yielding the other unearned run. Junior teamates Michael Ivas (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) and Joe Perlak (Chicopee, MA) combined for two scoreless stanzas in the seventh and eighth.

Worcester State returns to action as they open MASCAC play on Saturday when they host MCLA for a twin-bill at Auburn High-school with the first game starting at high noon. Endicott takes on the top-ranked team in the region on Southern Maine in a 3:30 PM affair on Friday.

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