Leicester, MA --- Junior David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) and freshman Brian Bonacquisti (Pittsfield, MA) both tallied four hits apiece for Worcester State as the Lancers defeated Becker this afternoon 16-1 in non-conference baseball action at Rochdale Park.
The Blue and Gold (16-13) were also paced by three hits and two RBIs by freshman Adam Barry (Auburn, MA) while freshman Jake Ryan (Whitnisville, MA) added a pair of runs batted in.
Bonaquisti and sophomore Dennis Duplessis (Marlboro, MA) both made three trips to the home plate as junior Jeff Bolio (Oxford, MA) and senior Joe Carlier (Rockland, MA) all finished with a duo of runs and two RBIs apiece.
The Hawks (14-12) did not have any multi-hitters. They scored their only run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth when senior Mike Marcello (W. Haven, CT) drove in junior Matt Consigli (Whitinsville, MA) on a ground out.
Worcester State staked the early 5-0 lead over the first three frames of play. Bolio induced an RBI ground out in the first before Barry and Ryan chipped in with plated runs in the top of the third.
The Lancers built on their score with four more scores over the middle stanzas for the 9-0 advantage.
After Ruggiero and Ryan both registered in with RBI singles in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, Barry and Bolio pushed across runs with consecutive run producing at-bats in the top of the sixth.
WSU finished off the scoring with a sixth run eighth inning for what proved to be the final score.
The frame was underscored by a two-RBI fielder's choice on a heads-up running play that scored Bolio and freshman Ryan Menard (Ashland, MA) while Bonaquisti, Duplessis and junior Nick Gikas (Danvers, MA) all manufactured runs in their plate appearances.
First-year Andrew Wells (Methuen, MA) improved his record to 3-3 with the victory. Wells hurled six strong innings, scattered six hits, allowed one earned run and he finished with one strikeout.
Freshman Tyler Barrie (Oxford, MA) tossed the final three stanzas and earned his first collegiate save for preserving the win for the Lancers. Barrie rung up six on strikes while he yielded one hit and issued one walk.
Junior Brian Dowling (Naugatuck, CT) absorbed the setback for the Hawks. Dowling gave up six runs (three earned) on seven hits as he allowed one walk and punched out one batter.
Becker was outslugged 20-7 for the contest, but did have three players who had extra base knocks.
Marcello and freshman Nick Harriman (Harrisville, RI) both jacked triples while first-year Chris Testa (Providence, RI) belted a double in the bottom of the third, however, all three were stranded on base.
Overall the Hawks had a frustrating day at the plate with 11 stranded on base – including six in scoring position.
Both teams resume their respective conference schedules on Monday.
Worcester State hosts Framingham State in a key MASCAC double header matchup in a battle for second place in the standings at 12 PM while Becker looks to stay atop the NECC with a pair of games against Elms on the road starting at 4:30.