Worcester State 18, Becker 1
Worcester, MA --- Senior Nick Caparell (N. Attleboro, MA) and junior Paul Rodriguez (San Antonio, TX) combined to go 4-for-5 with three runs and five RBIs to help lead Worcester State to an 18-1 five inning non conference victory over Becker this afternoon at Tivnan Field. The game was shortened due to lighting and impending rain.
Winners of their last 12 games, the Lancers are now 24-5-1 on the season while the Hawks dip to 9-13 overall. WSC reset the program's second best win streak as the 2002 squad won 11 straight games after their spring trip. The record is held by the 1963, 1964, 1965 team's who won 27 consecutive contests in a three year stretch.
The Blue and Gold pounded out 10 hits which included four home runs as every starter notched at least one hit.
Becker scored their first run of the game on an RBI single by sophomore Joe Corey (Billerica, MA), but that was all they would tally for the remainder of the game as sophomore Phil Recco (Concord, MA) would settle down and retire 14 of the last 20 men that he would face. Becker did have at least one hit in every inning, but they would strand three in scoring position. Recco (2-0) scattered six hits as he fanned five and allowed just one walk.
Worcester State answered the Hawks with six runs over the opening two frames of play as senior TJ Magnell (Leominster, MA) went yard with a solo homer in the first inning and junior Corey McDonald (Hudson, MA) knocked out a three-run shot in the second. Magnell would end the game with three runs while McDonald kept his hit streak alive as he now has hit in 20 consecutive contests.
The Lancers would stage a seven run fourth inning to take a commanding 13-1 advantage. WSC was highlighted by back-to-back homers by Rodriguez and freshman Chris Creen (Worcester, MA/St. Johns) and the Blue and Gold scored a pair more on a wild throw by the shortstop. Rodriguez recorded a two-run blast for his fourth homer of the year.
WSC finished the game with five runs in the bottom of the fifth as Becker pitching allowed six walks. Creen and sophomore pinch hitter Ben Mullen (Burlington, MA) were walked to produce runs before freshman Shawn Trombley (Leominster, MA) notched a sacrifice fly and classmate Kevin Salines (Melrose, MA) added an RBI on an error in the infield.
First-year Jake Morgan (Cranston, RI) took the loss on the mound for Becker as he is now 0-2. Becker pitching was wild all afternoon as it issued 13 free passes and a pair of wild pitches.
Corey and sophomore Weston Meehan (Thompson, GA) each went 2-for-3 for the visitors.
Both squads will entertain conference opponents on Saturday afternoon doubleheaders at 1PM. First-place Worcester State will host Framingham State at Fitton Field as the Rams come into town tied for second in the MASCAC with Bridgewater. The Hawks will welcome Mitchell as they return to Tivnan Field.