Worcester State 8, Salem State 6

Worcester State 3, Salem State 2 - Five Innings

Game 1 --- Box Score 

Game 2 --- Box Score  

Worcester, MA --- Worcester State swept Salem State this afternoon in MASCAC Baseball action 8-6 on a walk-off two-run home run by sophomore Nick Fluegge (Ware, MA-1B) and the Lancers took the nightcap 3-2 in five innings. WSC is off to its best start in conference play since 2002 at 6-0 in the MASCAC.

Winners of 11 out of their last 13 and eight straight, Worcester State improves to 16-9 overall while the Vikings fall to 10-13 and 1-5 in conference play.

In game one, freshman Chris Cocci (Wakefield, RI-SS) led off the contest with a single and moved to third on a throwing error by the pitcher. Cocci then crossed the plate on an RBI single by junior Steve Mucci (Walkill, NY-1B).

Senior Matt Hart (N. Easton, MA-CF) answered the call as he knotted the game 1-1 with his third-consecutive lead-off home run in a conference contest. Hart, the reigning MASCAC player of the week, jacked a pair of dingers against Westfield State last weekend.

Worcester State went up 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth as the Lancers scored four runs over the next three innings. Sophomore Corey Abbascia (Shrewsbury, MA-LF) notched a sacrifice fly in the second inning and then junior Ryan LaPrade (Leominster, MA-2B) highlighted a three-run fourth with a run producing double that saw two men cross the plate.

Salem State responded in the top of the fifth and tied the score 5-5 as senior Ken Luongo (Wilmington, MA-DH) and sophomore Ryan Valcourt (Salisbury, MA) each belted a two-run homers in the frame to chase junior starter Mike Borowiec (Spencer, MA) from the contest. Junior Kevin Hayes (Medfield, MA) would then end the inning retiring the last two batters.

In the top of the sixth, the Vikings took the 6-5 lead when Valcourt plated Mucci for the go-ahead run off of Hayes.

SSC senior Al Miner (Rochester, MA) then held the Lancers scoreless in the bottom of the sixth before senior closer Pat Good (Hull, MA) came on in the seventh, retired the side in order and tallied a pair of strikeouts in the process.

That set the stage for the Lancers comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Hart led off the inning with a single. In the next at-bat, junior TJ Magnell (Leominster, MA-3B) reached second on a throwing error and Hart scored the equalizer on the miscue. Magnell moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt and then Fluegge hammered his fourth homer of the year to clinch the game for the visitors.

Minor (2-3) took the loss on the mound as he tossed 6 1/3 innings. Minor also allowed eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits while he struck out two and walked no one.

Good (3-0) earned the victory in relief for the Blue and Gold. Borwiec had a no decision as he went 4 1/3 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits. Borowiec also fanned three and walked two.

Hart went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI in the opening contest while sophomore Johno Hinkell (North Adams, MA-C) went 3-for-3 as he crossed the plate once. Mucci was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a pair of runs and an RBI, for the Vikings, while Valcourt went 3-for-4 with three plated runs and a run scored.

In the nightcap, both teams battled a rainstorm throughout the rest of the game.

Worcester State opened the scoring with a 2-0 lead as the Lancers scored a run in each of the first two innings. Magnell stole home on a double-steal play in the first and then junior Nick Dortona (Malden, MA-SS) plated a run in the second.

In the top of the third the Vikings cut the lead in half when freshman Joe Galindo (Monument, CO ) hit an RBI double that scored Cocci.

The Lancers tacked on a key insurance run in the top of the fourth as Dortona hit a run producing infield single to go up 3-1.

In the top of the fifth, freshman starter Tyler Metcalf (Bellingham, MA) walked the first batter he faced and that brought on Hayes out of the bullpen. The next batter then reached second on a wild pitch, third on a passed ball and he scored on another wild pitch. With the bases clear Hayes retired the side to record his second save of the year.

With looming darkness and rain in the forecast the contest was called off and the Lancers walked off the field the victory. Metcalf (3-0) went the first four innings allowing just two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks while he added three punch outs.

Kerr drops to 1-2 with the loss as he allowed three runs on three hits while he walked four and struck out five batters.

Dortona was the game's only multi-hitter as he went 2-for-2 as the teams combined for six hits. Hayes also finished the double-header with four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings pitched.

The 2002 squad opened their conference slate at 6-0, but went 7-1 as they split with Westfield State in their next fourth double-header of the year and finished out at 12-2.

The Lancers look to improve upon their first-place lead in the MASCAC as they head north to Fitchburg State on Tuesday for a 2 PM twin bill. Salem State will travel to New England College on Tuesday at 3:30.