DUDLEY, Mass. - The Worcester State University softball team continues to seek its first win of the season after a pair of losses to Nichols College in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon at the Nichols Softball Field. Worcester State opened the day with an 8-0 five-inning loss in game one, before falling 8-4 in the nightcap.
With the losses, the Lancers fall to 0-12 on the season.
Game 1 - Nichols 8, Worcester State 0 (5 innings)
Worcester State couldn't overcome a four-run first inning from the Bison en route to the five-inning loss. The Bison only managed one hit but pushed four runs across in the bottom of the opening frame to jump out to the early lead.
The Lancer offense had a hard time getting going in its first game in nearly two weeks, managing just two hits in the loss. Junior Samantha Stake (Worcester, Mass.) and senior Katie Polselli (Charlton, Mass.) had the two base knocks for Worcester State, both coming in the top of the first inning, but the Lancers left the bases loaded in the frame.
Senior Rachel Frisch (Worcester, Mass.) got the loss for Worcester State in the circle, allowing seven runs over two and a third innings. Sophomore Liv Larson (Marlborough, Mass.) was strong in two innings of relief, allowing just one earned on three hits.
Game 2 - Nichols 8, Worcester State 4
Worcester State's offense ended a three-game scoreless skid, but the Bison bats were too powerful for the Lancers to pull out the win in the second game of the afternoon.
With her team trailing 4-0 in the top of the third inning, junior Carly Zielinski (Monson, Mass.) got Worcester's offense rolling with a triple to right field. Two batters later, Zielinski crossed the plate for the first Lancer run of the day on an RBI groundout from Stake.
Back-to-back doubles in the top of the fourth inning from Kaiulani Ennis (Swansea, Mass.) and Polselli cut Nichols' lead down to 4-2. Nichols scored once in the bottom of the fourth and three times in the bottom of the sixth for some insurance, taking an 8-2 lead into the seventh.
Stake recorded an RBI reach on error, and junior Ashley Lynch (Shrewsbury, Mass.) roped an RBI single to left in the top of the seventh inning, but the rally fell short for Worcester State as they were dealt the loss.
Zielinski was Worcester State's losing pitcher with 1.1 innings pitched and three earned runs allowed.
Worcester State will return to the diamond on Thursday with a road doubleheader at Becker College. First pitch in the first game of the day is slated for 3 p.m.
#WooSB