WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University baseball team smacked a season-best four home runs, including two from senior outfielder Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.), as the visiting Lancers powered past Clark 11-2 in non-league baseball action on a rainy Wednesday afternoon at Granger Diamond.
The Lancers jumped on Clark starter Callum Sawden (Old Lyme, Conn.) early getting two runs before an out was recorded in the first on Ryan bomb to centerfield.
Ryan was in the middle of another Lancer scoring sequence when he led off the third with a double to left and then scored on a double from Mike Ferrara (Easton, Mass.). Ferrara then raced home when Kevin Larkin (Bristol, Conn.) doubled to left and later Larkin was able to narrowly beat an excellent throw from Teddy Downing (Cambridge, Mass.) in right to give Worcester State a 5-0 lead.
Clark did scratch a run across in the bottom of the frame when consecutive singles from Jackson Posnik (Wellesley, Mass.) and Tim Powell (Middletown, R.I.) were followed by a Kyle Bonicki (Waterbury, Conn.) RBI single to left.
Ahead 5-1, the Lancers broke the game open in the sixth when they blasted a trio of homeruns off of Clark reliever Jeremy Brent (Dayton, N.J.). Larkin smoked a two-run shot to left, Mike Powers (Weymouth, Mass.) touched him for a solo shot and then Ryan launched a three-run blast to right, pushing the Worcester State advantage to 11-1.
The Cougars were able to get one more run when Jake Good (North Falmouth, Mass.) doubled down the left field line and then came home on a Powell single through the left side.
While his offense was putting up runs, Lancer starter Matt Irzyk (Westfield, Mass.) was in cruise control, spinning a complete game, allowing eight hits and two earned runs to go along with four strikeouts to improve to 3-2.
Ryan ended up going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and five RBI, while Powers had three hits and Larkin drove in three runs.
For the Scarlet and White, Powell had three of their eight hits.
Worcester State (13-18) is off until Saturday when they visit MCLA for a crucial MASCAC twinbill. Clark (26-12), meanwhile will host MIT in the NEWMAC Tournament First Round game on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Release Courtesy of Clark Sports Information