Worcester State 4, Westfield State 3 - 8 Innings

Worcester State 3, Westfield State 1

Game 1 --- Box Score 

Game 2 --- Box Score

Worcester, MA --- The Worcester State baseball team ended Westfield State's nine-game winning streak with a sweep this afternoon at Assumption to improve their record to 11-9 and 4-0 in the MASCAC. The Lancers took the opening game 4-3 in eight innings and then broke a tie in the fifth inning to take nightcap, 3-1. The Owls drop to 13-7 and 2-2 in the conference.

Junior TJ Magnell (Leominster, MA-3B) and sophomore Shane Coakley (Spencer, MA-DH) each notched two hits apiece in game one as they were two of four players who drove in at least one run.

Tied 3-3 going into the bottom of the eighth in game one, junior Ryan LaPrade (Leominster, MA-2B) singled to right field to lead off the inning. After a failed bunt attempt tjat led to the first out of the frame, senior Matt Hart (N. Easton, MA) was intentionally walked and then Magnell drew a walk to load the bases for junior Nick Caparell (N. Attleboro, MA). With a 3-2 count, Caparell recorded a free pass to plate LaPrade for the game-winning run.

The Lancers originally went up 2-0 in the bottom of the first on a lead-off solo home-run by Hart and a run producing single by Coakley.

Westfield State answered by scoring three runs over the next two innings highlighted by a sacrifice fly by Ben Wagner (Cumberland, RI-SS) to tie the score in the third followed up by a RBI double by junior Kevin Lyons (Braintree, MA-DH) for the go-ahead run.

Worcester State eventually tied the score 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth when Magnell came through in the clutch as he drove in LaPrade with a single with two outs.

After the Lancers knotted the game up in the fourth both teams had their chance to score the go-ahead run or even end the game, but neither team could capitalize. Over the five of the next seven half-innings each team left at least one runner in scoring position.

The Owls had the best chance in the top of the eighth as junior Jeff Fields (Pittsfield, MA) led off the frame with a single stretched into triple, courtesy of a misplayed ball in the outfield. But senior closer Pat Good (Hull, MA) educed a pop-up for the first out and a line out double play that picked off Fields as he escaped the jam. That set the stage for the Lancers comeback in the next half-inning.

WSC junior right hander Joey Lucier (Brockton, MA) tossed 6 1/3 solid innings as he allowed three runs on eight hits while he fanned four and walked one. Good earned his second win of the season in relief.

Senior Josh Perches (Albany, NY) took the loss on the mound for the Owls after his inherited runners were allowed to score in the eighth. Junior Jesse Vermeersch (Marlboro, MA) started the contest as he allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings while he was relieved by second-year Scott Keane (Brockton, MA) who yielded just one runner to cross the plate in 3 1/3 innings of work.

In the second game, junior Mike Borowiec (Spencer, MA) went the distance for the Lancers as he allowed just one run while scattering six hits as he hurled his first complete game of the season. Boroweic also improved his record to 2-1 as he walked two and struck out eight batters.

With two outs in the top of the first Westfield State produced a quick run when Fields reached first on an infield single and scored on an RBI double by junior Ben Campbell (Easthampton, MA-1B).

The Lancers promptly answered when Hart smashed another lead-off home-run for his fourth dinger of the year in the bottom of the first.

Borowiec then settled down to retire 16 of the last 22 batters he faced which included stranding runners in scoring position in the second, fourth and fifth frames and he also set down the last six batters he faced in the game.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, the Lancers took the lead for good as a pair crossed the plate in the inning. LaPrade slammed a double into centerfield and then stole third. Hart got hit by a pitch and then tried to steal second, but he was caught in a run down. As Hart occupied the fielders in the infield, LaPrade took off for home plate and he crossed without a play at home plate for the go-ahead run.

Hart later added an insurance run when Caparell drove him with a run-producing single.

Fields was saddled for the setback as his record dropped to 2-2 on the season. Fields threw five innings allowing all three runs on five hits as he also added four punch-outs and two walks. Fields also ended the twinbill 4-for-7 with a run scored in each contest.

The Lancers have another double-header tomorrow against Newbury at WPI for a 1 PM start. The Owls will travel to Becker on Tuesday and entertain Albertus Magnus on Wednesday. Both games will start at 3:30.