Worcester State 5, Nichols 4
Worcester, MA --- With the game knotted 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth, Ben Mullin (Burlington, MA-C) plated the game-winning run with the bases loaded to help lift Worcester State to a 5-4 victory this afternoon over Nichols in non conference baseball action at Tivinan Field. With the triumph the Lancers improve to 19-10 while the Bison slip to 12-14.
Sophomore Nick Fluegge (Ware, MA-1B) led WSC as he went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Sophomore Zachary Johnson (Wakefield, RI), Matthew Whitman (North Plainfield, NJ) and Richard Burke (Newburyport, MA) each notched two hits for Nichols as they also plated one run apiece.
Junior Kevin Hayes (Medford, MA) picked up the win for the Blue and Gold and after the Lancers got the lead in the bottom of the eighth while senior Pat Good (Hull, MA) recorded his third save of the year.
Freshman Kyle St. Thomas (Bridgewater, MA) started his first game of the season as he gave up four runs (three earned) on nine hits while he walked two and struck out one.
Five different hurlers took the mound for Nichols. The first three accounted for four runs (three earned) over the first three innings of the contest. Senior Jim Fritz (Souderton, PA) was tagged for the loss as his record drops to 1-2.
The Lancers got on the board with a 2-0 lead in the first inning as senior Matt Hart (N. Easton, MA - CF) crossed the plate on a double steal and sophomore Shawn Coakley (Spencer, MA-DH) hit a run-producing single to centerfield.
In the bottom of the second WSC went up 3-0 as they pushed across a run as they took advantage of an error in the infield with two outs.
Nichols put up a pair of runs to get within a run in the top of the third. After Burke led off the inning with a double he would score as Johnson drove him in on a single that turned into a triple after he advanced to second on a throwing error and third on a passed ball. Sophomore George Sergi (Blackstone, MA-RF) tacked on the second run on an RBI ground out.
Fluegge helped Worcester State answer and get a run back in the bottom of the frame as he plated sophomore Johno Hinkell (North Adams, MA-DH) who led off with a two-bagger.
The Bison would eventually tie the game up as they scored two runs over span of the next three innings. In the fourth Burke hit an infield RBI single and Whitman cranked a run producing single with the bases juiced. After another single loaded the bases, senior Andy Cunningham (Leicester, MA) took the mound and ended the threat with an out at home and a strikeout looking.
Cunningham and Hayes would then combine to throw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to shut the visitors down and set the stage for Worcester State's comeback in the bottom of the eighth.
Both teams will entertain conference opponents on Saturday at noon. The Lancers will host MCLA on Alumni Day at Tivnan Field as they look to remain at 8-0 in the MASCAC while the Bison will play Gordon.