Worcester State 14, #23 WPI 6 - Eight Innings
Box Score | Photo Gallery (Courtesy of the
Telegram & Gazette)
Worcester, MA --- Propelled by two home runs and six RBIs by junior Johno Hinkell (North Adams, MA), Worcester State defeated city rival WPI in a non-conference contest this afternoon, 14-6, at the Class of 1983 field at WPI. The game was shortened to eight innings because of the ensuing darkness.
The Lancers, winners of seven straight, improve to 8-3-1 while the Engineers fall to 11-1. The Crimson and Gray started off the week ranked #23 in the latest D3baseball.com/NCBWA poll.
Worcester State erased a four-run deficit in the second inning as Hinkell sparked a five run rally with a solo homer to lead off the frame. He was followed by a two-run blast by freshman Chris Creen (Worcester, MA/St. John’s) and run-producing hits by senior’s Ryan LaPrade (Leominster, MA) and TJ Magnell (Leominster, MA).
WPI knotted the score 5-5 in the top of the third on an RBI ground out by junior Bryan Watkins (Belmont, MA), but the Lancers would immediately respond in the bottom of the inning with a two-run dinger by junior Tyler McElman (Marlboro, MA). Worcester State tacked on one more run in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly Hinkell for a three run edge.
After allowing five runs (four earned) his first three innings of work, WSC junior lefthander Chad Kasik (Dudley, MA) settled down and put up three scoreless frames to keep the Engineers off the board as he stranded a trio of runners in scoring position. Kasik evened out his record to 2-2 while he fanned four and walked no one.
Worcester State broke the game open with a six-run seventh inning as the scoring was highlighted by a grand slam by Hinkell.
The Engineers grabbed the early 4-0 lead in the top of the first as senior Matt Moreau (Manchester, NH) hammered a two-run single that scored three on a misplay in the outfield with the bases loaded. Watkins drove in fourth-year Mike Swanton (Foxboro, MA) from third on a sacrifice fly.
Freshman Daniel Thomas (Manchester, NH) knocked out his first career home run to the deep part of center field in the top of the eighth for the Crimson and Gray.
First-year Brian Schopka (Tinton Falls, NJ) was tagged with his first loss of the season as he allowed three runs off of five hits in 4 2/3 innings of relief of sophomore starter Alex Julian (Sterling, MA) who left in the bottom of the second.
McElman went 3-for-5 for the Lancers while Creen finished 2-for-3 as they each drove in a pair and crossed the plate twice. Senior Ryan LaPrade (Leominster, MA) along with junior’s Corey Abbascia (Shrewsbury, MA) and Corey McDonald (Hudson, MA) each contributed two hits apiece while Hinkell scored three runs and drove in six.
Moreau and Watkins each chipped in with two hits for the Engineers.
The two teams combined for seven hit batters. Worcester State has also hit nine home runs in its last two games as they jacked out four today and five in yesterday’s 23-1 triumph over Albertus Magnus.
The Lancers continue their non-league schedule with a double-header against Southern Vermont on Saturday at 12 at Northbridge Middle School while the Engineers will entertain Becker on Friday at 3:30. Should tomorrow’s game be postponed due to rain, WPI looks to remain unbeaten in NEWMAC play when they host 2009 tournament champion Babson in a twin bill beginning at noon.