The second award of day three of Worcester State’s Virtual Awards Week is the Blue & Gold Award. The Blue & Gold Award is presented annually to a senior student-athlete who has overcome severe adversity to have a successful athletic career.

This year’s recipient is a four-year member of the Lancer baseball program. He entered Worcester State with a previous injury, and was only able to pitch in seven games. Still not 100 percent healed, this athlete underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the off-season, and was forced to miss his entire sophomore season. After continued shoulder issues, he underwent a second operation, and returned to the mound for his junior season, making six appearances and pitching 4.1 innings.

Even after countless hours of rehabilitation over his first three years, this athlete’s shoulder issues continued, but rather than giving up, he transitioned from pitcher to position player for his senior season. Although his season was abruptly cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, this athlete’s career had a storybook ending. In his first start playing the field, this athlete went 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, four runs batted in, and an intentional walk. Unknown to all at the time, it turned out to be Worcester State’s final game of the season, and the final game of this athlete’s career. 

The winner of the 2020 Blue & Gold Award, from the baseball team, is SETH ALLEN!

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