WORCESTER, Mass.— On the opening day of MASCAC play, the Worcester State University softball team swept the Westfield State Owls in a conference doubleheader Saturday (Apr. 9) afternoon at Rockwood Park. With the wins, the Lancers improve to 8-9-1 overall (2-0 MASCAC) and the Owls fall to 5-12 overall (0-2 MASCAC).
GAME ONE: Worcester State 4, Westfield State 1
Worcester State pulled ahead of the Owls early in the game, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Worcester State's senior Hayley Terry (North Dighton, Mass.) started for the Lancers when she doubled to left field. Right behind her was Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, Mass.) who singled to left field, putting Terry in scoring position. Terry scored on an error moments later, and then Rich was able to score on an RBI single from teammate Taylor Daniels (Norco, Calif). Sara Pelletier (Leominster, Mass.) walked with bases loaded, advancing another runner home to give Worcester the prompt 3-0 start.
The Lancers scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI-single from Dakota Smith-Porter (Montague, MA). Pelletier, Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.), and Daniels also had one RBI apiece in the campaign.
The Owls were able to score one run to nix the shutout, as Maddy Akocaitis (Westfield, Mass.) started the inning out with a single to right field. Julia Sullivan (W. Barnstable, Mass.) then advanced Akocaitis on a ground out. Angelica Banning (E. Granby, Conn.) came up next with a single up the middle, advancing to second on an error. Akocaitis was able to score at the plate on an error by Worcester's outfield, in turn, closing the game out with a score of 4-1.
Adding in two hits apiece for the Owls was junior short stop Liz Kelly (Quincy, Mass.) and Akocaitis. Sullivan and Erika Gouin (Hampden, Mass.) also chipped in one hit each for the Owls.
Worcester State's pitcher, Rich, earned the win, pitching the full seven innings and allowing eight hits. With the win, Rich's record improves to 2-3. Westfield State's pitcher, Sarah Eugenio (Marshfield, Mass.) suffered the loss, pitching 4 and 2/3 innings. With the loss, Eugenio's record falls to 2-4.
GAME TWO: Worcester State 3, Westfield State 0
The Lancers shutout the Owls in the second game 3-0 behind a solid pitching performance from junior Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, Conn.).
The Lancers plated a run in the bottom of the first on hits from Taylor Daniels (Norco, Calif.) and Dakota Smith-Porter (Montague, MA). Leading off the inning, Daniels ripped a triple to right field. With two outs, Smith-Porter doubled to left center, scoring Daniels home for the run.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Lancers scored another run on an RBI-double from Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.).
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.) registered an RBI-single, scoring the final run of the game.
Westfield State's Sydney Ezold (Westfield, Mass.) had two hits for the Owls. Liz Kelly (Quincy, Mass.), Julia Sullivan (West Barnstable, Mass.) and Caitlin Hughes (Hanson, Mass.) each chipped in one hit for the Owls.
Worcester State's pitcher, Humphrey, allowed only five hits and her record improves to 4-1. Suffering the loss, Westfield State's pitcher, Saxon Bresnahan (Quincy, Mass) allowed the four runs on seven hits as her record falls to 0-2.
The Lancers return to play tomorrow, when they will travel to Mass. Maritime for a MASCAC twin-bill with a start time at 1:00 pm. The Owls will host Bridgewater State tomorrow for a MASCAC matchup beginning at 12:00 pm.