WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University baseball team fell 3-0 to the Nichols College Bison in non-conference play Wednesday afternoon at Kevin D. Lyons Baseball Diamond.
It was a quick first three innings for both teams. It was Nichols who opened the scoring with a couple of walks, and a double by sophomore Nathaniel Cormier (Sandisfield, Mass.) which drove in junior third baseman Christian Naccari (Ossining, N.Y.). Freshman Tyler Heenan (Milford, Conn.) would then score on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 Nichols.
While the Lancers outhit the Bison, they could never quite string anything together. In the top of the fifth, senior outfielder Joe Assenza (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) led off the inning with a single to left field. He would eventually come around to score on a sacrifice bunt by junior first baseman Kyle Bouchard (Fall River, Mass.).
The Lancers would threaten in the bottom of the sixth after singles by sophomore designated hitter Jake Breton (Wilbraham, Mass.) and senior outfielder Michael Ferrara (Easton, Mass.). Both runners would advance on a sac fly but that was as far as they would get. Nichols' solid pitching performance would hold on to secure the victory.
Starting pitcher for the Lancers was freshman Justin Pena (Mansfield, Mass.), who went four and a third innings, giving up 3 runs on 2 hits, 5 walks, while striking out two in the loss. Nichols starter sophomore Robert Cobb (Revere, Mass.) earned the win going seven innings, giving up six hits, allowing zero runs, and striking out two.The Bison bullpen would only allow one hit the rest of the way.
With the loss, the Lancers fall to 17-14 overall while the Bison improve to 19-15.
The Lancers are back in action Friday evening at Mass. Maritime as they take on the Buccaneers.
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