Worcester, MA --- Junior Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA) went 3-for-4 with and RBI and run scored and classmate Jeff Bolio (Oxford, MA) belted a three-run homerun to help Worcester State earn a game-two victory and split with Fitchburg State, 3-0 and 7-3, in MASCAC baseball action this afternoon at the Lyons Baseball Diamond.
The Lancers improve to 13-13 on the year and 5-3 in conference play while the Falcons run their record to 17-11 and 2-6 in the MASCAC.
Fitchburg State grabbed a one run cushion in the top half of the second inning in game one after sophomore Javier Lozada (New Beford, MA) laced an RBI single to centerfield to score freshman Joe Lyons (W. Roxbury, MA) who had doubled to open the frame.
WSU threatened in the bottom half of the fourth after junior David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) doubled down the left field line, advanced to third on a groundout and Bolio walked and stole second to place two runners in scoring position with two outs.
However, freshman right-hander Joe St. Hilaire (Chelmsford, MA) found his composure and induced a groundout to second base to end the threat.
The Falcons added a pair of runs in the top half of the sixth after and RBI two-bagger from junior Pierce Hans (Washington Township, NJ) who later crossed home on a groundout for the 3-0 advantage.
Worcester State again threatened in the bottom half of the seventh as they found runners on the corners with two-outs after a pair of singles from junior Nick Gikas (Danvers, MA) and senior Joe Carlier (Rockland, MA). Hilaire once again produced a weak groundball to third base to end the game.
Hilaire was strong all afternoon as he scattered five hits while walking two and fanning one in tossing his third complete game of the campaign and improving his record to 6-2.
WSU junior right-hander Jared Kuzio (Franklin, MA) was dealt the tough luck loss as he hurled seven innings allowing three earned runs on six hits with a trio of free passes to fall to 1-3 on the year.
Fitchburg State again started early in game two this time plating a pair in the top of the first for the 2-0 edge.
Hans aided with a run producing groundout and sophomore Brendan Cutler (Clinton, MA) ripped an RBI single up the middle.
After an RBI double from sophomore Mike Martignetti (Boston, MA) in the top half of the third gave the Falcons a three-run lead Worcester State responded by batting around and putting up a crooked number in the bottom half to grab the 6-3 advantage.
Freshman Jake Ryan (Whitinsville, MA) belted an RBI double while junior Zach George (Attleboro, MA) and Osburn contributed run producing base-knocks before Bolio opened the game up with an absolute laser over the fence in centerfield for his second round-tripper of the season.
The Lancers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a bases loaded walk to freshman Adam Barry (Auburn, MA) to account for the final score.
Junior Joe Perlak (Chicopee, MA) picked up the win to improve to 5-0 on the year as he tossed his first complete game allowing just three earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and a pair of walks.
Lozada (2-3) was handed the loss after throwing the first three innings surrendering six runs on six hits with three free passes and a pair of strikeouts.
Lyons finished the day a combined 5-for-5 with a run scored and freshman Steven Drury, Jr. (Ashburnham, MA) collected a pair of hits in the second game and crossed home once in each game for the visitors.
Ruggiero registered a pair of hits in the first game and sophomore Steve Wallace (Auburn, MA) chipped in with a 2-for-3 showing with a pair of runs scored in game two.
Each team recorded nine hits apiece in the nightcap while Fitchburg State held the slim 6-5 edge in game one.
Worcester State has a quick turn-around as they travel to MIT Wednesday for a 3:30 PM affair and the Falcons return home for a 3:30 PM match-up against Daniel Webster on Thursday.
Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant
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