HARWICH, Mass. – Arcadia University's Mike Boulanger (Clark, N.J,) hit the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the 12th inning for the No. 2 seeded Knights to defeat the No. 7 seeded Worcester State University Lancers by a score of 4-3 in the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament Thursday night at Whitehouse Field.
The Knights (33-11) scored their four runs on 12 hits and two Worcester State errors, while Worcester State (20-21) scored three on nine hits and one Arcadia error.
Arcadia was the first to reach the scoreboard in the bottom of the 2nd when Nick Cardace (Freehold, N.J.) kicked off the inning with a single to left field. Following two Tyler Barrie (Oxford, Mass.) strikeouts, the Knights' Drew Coisson (Hurley, N.Y.) hit an RBI single through the right side to take the 1-0 lead.
The Lancers matched the run in the top of the 3rd when Kevin Larkin (Bristol, Conn.) hit an RBI single to right field, plating Mike Ferrara (Easton, Mass.) for the 1-1 score. However, Arcadia once again stole back the lead in the reverse side of the inning when Jordan Draude (Lancaster, Pa.) hit an RBI double to centerfield.
After a scoreless 4th inning, Worcester State took its sole lead of the game on a Ferrara two-run shot over the left field fence, advancing the score to 3-2. Ferrara's home run was the first of the tournament.
Once again, the score was tied up in the bottom of the 5th and would remain tied until the 12th inning when Boulanger plated Draude, who had reached on a double, for the win.
Boulanger not only hit the game-winner, but he also earned the win on the mound as he pitched the last seven innings and only allowed two hits and struck out five. The Knight's opener, Joseph Warren (Yardley, Pa.) pitched for five innings and allotted three runs (two unearned) on seven hits and struck out seven.
Worcester State's Barrie pitched a phenomenal nine innings, allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out a career-high 11 batters. Kyle Sullivan (Hudson, Mass.) took the loss as he relieved in the 10th inning and allowed the one run on four hits.
Offensively, Ferrara led the pack going 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBI. Adam Barry (Auburn, Mass.) also picked up two hits, while Ben Palatino (Hudson, Mass.) and Larkin collected the remaining two.
Four Knights registered two hits apiece in the win, while Draude recorded two doubles and two RBI.
Up next, Worcester State will face St. John Fisher today (May 19), who also has a loss in the double-elimination tournament, at Whitehouse Field at 1 p.m.