Worcester, Mass., - The Worcester State University Lancers took two games from the Falcons of Fitchburg State University in softball on Wednesday night at Rockwood Field in Worcester, MA.

GAME ONE:

Sophomore pitcher, Emily Bartlett threw sixteen strikeouts in the Lancers 3-0 shutout victory over the Falcons. Bartlett allowed just one hit in the contest, a single from Fitchburg's Audrey Johnson in the top of the 7^th inning. Bartlett also went 1-for-3 from the plate, with one earned run.

The scoreboard held zero's until the bottom of the 3^rd when centerfielder, Jackie Schwalm advanced to third on a Emma Lanpher sacrifice bunt. Schwalm was able to reach home on a wild pitch to put the Lancers up 1-0 after 3 innings.

The contest remained in a defensive standoff until left fielder, Jackie Andry (2-for-3, 2 RBIs) hit a single deep to right center, sending Lauren Dube and Bartlett in for scores.

The Falcons had a chance to tie in the top of the 7^th as Julia Gauvin reached base on balls and Johnson was able to crack Bartlett's no-hitter with a single down the left field line, advancing Gauvin to third. With two runner's on base and no outs. Fitchburg's pitcher, Sarah Cahill hit a pop-up to second basemen, Brynna Meeker for the first out. Bartlett struck out the final two Falcon batters, sealing the win at 3-0, Worcester.

GAME TWO:

First-year Abigail Koziel went 2-for-3 with 3-RBI's as the Lancers bested the Falcons in game two of the doubleheader.

The Lancers put two on the board in the first inning on a Koziel double that sent Brynna Meeker and Emma Lanpher (2-for-4, 1RBI) in for earned runs in the first.

Fitchburg's Audrey Johnson (1-for-3, 1-RBI) would hit a long homerun to left field in the top of the second to bring the Falcons within one. However, Worcester would answer back with two more runs in the bottom of the 2^nd. Naraylee Baez hit a sacrifice fly to right field that moved Jacqui Schwalm around the bases and Ally Tocman (2-for-2, 1-RBI) doubled to left field bringing Lanpher home in the bottom of the second making the score 4-1, Worcester.

The contest remained scoreless until the bottom of the 5th. Koziel singled to right center, bringing Tocman home. Rachel Sinclair (2-for-2, 1-RBI) doubled to right center, pushing Koziel to third and then came Molly Glynn. Glynn powered a big double to right centerfield sending in two runs on the hit. A series of Falcon errors kept the inning alive and Glynn scored as the Lancers went up 8-1 over Fitchburg.

Rachel Sinclair would cap the victory with a single to right center, moving Tocman in for 9-1 victory after 6 innings played. 

Jen Thorburn threw 6 innings of standout work from the mound. Thorburn allowed just one run on five hits, four strikeouts and no walked batters. Stefanie Poulin pitched 4 innings for the Falcons allowing six runs on eight hits with one strikeout. Mackenzie Leveille and Hayley O'Brien combined for 1.1 innings pitched in relief efforts.

The Lancers improved to 18-16 on the season and 11-1 in MASCAC play. The Lancers will return to action at Bridgewater State on April 29^th for the final doubleheader of the regular season.