CLERMONT, Fla. – The Worcester State University softball team finalized Florida play with a split as they defeated Union 9-2 in the first game of the day, and then were held to just three hits in a 5-1 setback to Kalamazoo.
GAME ONE: Worcester State 9, Union 2
The Lancers used a big third inning to pull ahead and grasp a 3-run lead, and added to it in the fifth and seventh inning to total nine runs on eight hits and two Union errors. Sophomore pitcher Carly Zielinksi (Monson, Mass.) pitched a complete-game and allowed just two runs on four hits.
Following a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, Union took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the inning when Kim Puzo (East Islip, N.Y.) hit an RBI single to centerfield to plate Stuart Bruxton (Melbourne, Wash.) and Dana Dolinko (Wilmette, Ill.) who both reached on walks.
After a scoreless second inning, Worcester State scored five runs on two hits and one error in the third inning to take a 5-2 lead. The Lancers loaded the bases on a walk, fielder's choice, and a single from Kaiulani Ennis (Swansea, Mass.). One run scored on a fielding error, and then Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.) came up and hit a 3-run homer to right field for the 3-run lead.
The Blue and Gold tallied another run in the top of the fifth on an RBI groundout from Kaci Panarelli (Shrewsbury, Mass.), and then scored three runs on four hits in the seventh to put the final score at 9-2.
- Smith-Porter batted 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
- Despres went 2-for-4 from the plate and collected a team-high three runs and three RBI with her home run.
- Ennis also batted .500 (2-4) at the plate and scored two runs.
- Zielinski earned the win as she threw a complete-game and allowed just two Dutchwomen runs on four hits. She walked four batters, and struck out two in the seven innings of play.
- The Dutchwomen's four hits were spread throughout the lineup. Courtney Casey (Sommerville, Mass.), Kendall Rogoff (Ridgefield, Conn.), Puzo, and Carli Voellm (Wynantskill, N.Y.) recorded the hits, while Puzo hit in two runs.
- Union's starting pitcher, Dolinko, suffered the loss in four innings pitched. She allotted Worcester State five runs (one unearned) on three hits. Makayla Koehler threw three innings of relief and gave up four runs on five hits, while striking out two.
GAME TWO: Kalamazoo 5, Worcester State 1
Kalamazoo's pitcher, Keelin McManus (Haslett, Mich.) held the Lancers to just one run on four hits and pitched four hitless innings en route to a 5-1 win over Worcester State.
The Hornets scored one run in the first inning on an RBI single from Hayleigh Alamo (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and another in the second on a sacrifice fly from Alyssa Heitkamp (Avon, Ohio).
Kalamazoo packed on another two runs in the top of the third inning on four hits from Izzy Kirck (Grosse Point Woods, Mich.), Alamo, Nina Szalkiewicz (Clinton Twp., Mich.), and McManus for the 4-0 advantage.
Worcester State logged its first hit since the first inning (Despres) in the bottom of the fifth when Katie Polselli (Charlton, Mass.) singled up the middle.
Kalamazoo scored one more run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single from Anna Majewski (St. Clair Shores, Mich.), and then Worcester State broke their nil score with a solo home run from Despres in the bottom of the seventh.
- Kalamzoo's Szalkiewicz led with the bats as she went 3-for-4.
- Majewski, Alamo, and McManus each registered two hits in the win.
- Worcester State's Despres batted 2-for-3 against the Hornets with the Lancers' only run on the homer.
- Monica Ferrazzani (North Reading, Mass.) and Polselli accounted for the other two hits.
- McManus pitched the complete-game and earned the win. Smith-Porter took the loss for the Lancers in three innings pitched.
UP NEXT
The Lancers head back to Massachusetts and look to open up at home on Thursday, March 28 against UMass Dartmouth.
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