WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University softball team got more than it could handle from WPI Wednesday, dropping a pair of contests to its crosstown rivals in non-conference action at Raymond Diamond. The Lancers fell 15-2 in game one and 8-0 in game two.
With the losses, the Lancers drop to 2-18 on the season. WPI jumps up to 16-6 with the sweep.
Game 1 - WPI 15, Worcester State 2 (5 innings)
A two-run single from sophomore Nicole Kuberka (Los Angeles, Calif.) capped a three-run top of the first inning for the Engineers, and from there the visitors were off and running.
WPI led 13-0 headed to the bottom of the fourth inning, when Worcester State was able to produce its only offense of the day. Freshman Rachel Bigelow (Westborough, Mass.) brought in Worcester's first run on a pinch hit RBI single, and one batter later, sophomore Sam Maglione (Lancaster, Mass.) drove in another run on a base hit to center.
The Engineers tacked on two more in the top of the fifth inning for some insurance en route to the win. WPI pitcher Mackenzie Phillips (Gill, Mass.) was stellar in the victory, allowing just one Lancer hit in three innings to record the win. The loss went to Worcester State's Molly Glynn (Abington, Mass.), who allowed two earned runs in one inning pitched.
Game 2 - WPI 8, Worcester State 0
WPI again got on the board in the top of the first inning, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead before Worcester State sent a batter to the plate. Senior Caraline Wood (Averill Park, N.Y.) delivered an RBI single for the Engineers in the inning.
The Lancers threatened in the bottom of the second inning, as sophomore Ally Tocman (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and freshman Madi Lima (East Falmouth, Mass.) each delivered base hits, but were left stranded.
WPI scored three times in the fourth inning, with Lindsay Ambrosino (Chelmsford, Mass.) delivering an RBI single in the frame. Wood and Ambrosino would each record RBI hits in the sixth and seventh innings, pushing the Engineer edge to 8-0.
Senior Rachel Frisch (Worcester, Mass.) was dealt the loss despite only allowing three earned runs and striking out three. Kuberka got the win while allowing just two hits in four innings pitched, while freshman Abigail O'Connor (Belle Mead, N.J.) got the save with three innings of one-hit ball in relief.
Worcester State will be back in action on Saturday with a home doubleheader against conference foe Bridgewater State.
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