Northborough, Mass. - Freshman Dezmond Aguirre (Springfield, Mass.) drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the fourth to help key a 13-2 Worcester State win over host WPI in a non-conference contest Wednesday at the New England Baseball Complex. Between the two squads, 50 student-athletes, including 15 pitchers, took part in the game as WPI accounted for 27 and WSU totaled 23.
With the win, the Lancers improve to 5-8 overall and the Engineers, who were looking for their fifth-consecutive win, slip to 14-6 on the year and 7-2 at the NEBC.
WPI dented the scoreboard early with two in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Ryan Tropeano (Pembroke, Mass.) reached on a misuce and advanced to second before coming home on a fielder's choice put into play by sophomore Steven Gallagher (Coventry, R.I.). Gallagher later scored on a ground out by junior Matt Howard (Worcester, Mass.).
The Lancers responded with one in the top of the second with a home run by sophomore Mike Ferrara (Easton, Mass.) - his first of the season (second career). Aguirre tied the game and knocked in what proved to be the game-winning run with a 2-RBI double to right center in the fourth. Rookie Kenan Kolanda (Sterling, Mass.) and senior Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.) each helped a runner score with an RBI single and a fielding miscue, respectively. Aguirre stole home to complete the three-run sixth.
Senior Adam Barry (Auburn, Mass.), began the seventh with a solo shot to right to key a three-run seventh. Ferrara then crossed the plate on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore James Sheehan (Oxford, Mass.) and Aguirre picked up his third RBI with a hit to center. Freshman Kevin Larkin (Bristol, Conn.) drove in an insurance run and was part of the Lancers second successful double steal that plated classmate Colin Medeiros (Fall River, Mass.) in the eighth. Ryan completed the scoring with a two-run blast to right field in the ninth - his second career home run.
Freshman David Larson (Port Tobacco, Md.) and sophomore Kyle Opiekun (Cumberland, R.I.) drew one-out walks in the bottom of the ninth; however, they were stranded courtesy of a pair of swinging strikeouts.
Fainer hit a double, sophomore Alex Palermo (Chelmsford, Mass.) stole a base and sophomore Austin Lindner (W. Windsor, N.J.) turned a solo double play. Senior CJ Doskocil (Sterling, Mass.) and freshman Nick Colucci (Lynnfield, Mass.) each faced the minimum in their inning or work. Junior Drew Gelinas (Saco, Maine) joined the duo in not allowing a run. Freshman Dillon Bordeleau (Cranston, R.I.) was tagged with the decision as he and freshman Nick Tagaris (New City, N.Y.) posted a goose egg in the earned run column. Freshman Matt Woods (Wilmington, Mass.), sophomore Adam Bettigole (S. Windsor, Conn.), sophomore Tyler Weiss (Monroe, Conn.) and sophomore Dominic Fusco (North Haven, Conn.) all took a shift as well.
Aguirre went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a home run, three RBI, a stolen base and a run scored. Ferrara (3-for-5) led the way with three hits, including a homer, to go along with and RBI and two runs scored. Ryan (2-for-6, HR, 2 RBI, SB, run), Barry (2-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 runs), junior Seth Leslie (Phillipston, Mass.) (2-for-4, sacrifice), Larkin (2-for-4, sacrifice, walk, SB, RBI, 2 runs) also recorded multiple hits for the Lancers. Kolanda scored twice as Medeiros added a stolen base. Freshman Ben Palatino (Hudson, Mass.) and Kolanda teamed up for a double play.
Freshman PJ Walsh (Bridgewater, Mass.) got the start while classmate Seth Allen (Springfield, Mass.) began a string of five hurlers to not allow an earned run. Freshman Bradleigh Saltsman (Ayer, Mass.) followed while junior Matt Irzyk (Westfield, Mass.), Senior Andrew Reed (Douglas, Mass.) and sophomore Kyle Baker (Fresno, Calif.). Saltsman and Irzyk faced the minimum during their stint as Irzyk, Reed and Baker combined to strike out six.
WPI opens a NEWMAC West weekend series Friday at Clark. First pitch is at 3:30pm. Worcester State is slated to be back in action Saturday hosting Westfield State for a noon MASCAC twinbill.
Release Courtesy of WPI Sports Information