Framingham State 7, Worcester State 3

Framingham State 7, Worcester State 3

Game 1 --- Box Score

Game 2 --- Box Score

Worcester, MA --- Behind two dominant pitching performances by Framingham State junior’s Charlie Spear (Exeter, NH) and Tommy Lindberg (Straford, CT), the Rams posted identical 7-3 scores to take two from Worcester State this afternoon in MASCAC baseball action at Fitton Field on the campus of Holy Cross.

With the win FSC improves to 19-14 overall while the Lancers slip to 24-6-1.Westfield State swept Salem State earlier to take over first place in the conference while Framingham State, Worcester State and Bridgewater State are tied for second in the standings. The Bears swept MCLA earlier this afternoon.

The Rams also ended a 10 game losing streak to the Lancers as their last win came at the back end of a double-header in the 2004 season.

In the opening game, Spear (3-3) had a no-hitter through five innings of work until senior Nick Caparell (N. Attleboro, MA) broke it up with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. Spear went six innings allowing three runs on two hits as he walked five, hit one batter and struck out nine.

The contest was scoreless through three frames until the Rams touched WSC senior Joey Lucier (Brockton, MA) for three runs in the top of the fourth. Junior Corey Ketterer (Plymouth, MA) and classmate Sean Callahan (Watertown, MA) recorded consecutive singles to open the frame. Third-year Steven Tramontozzi (Watertown, MA) added a sacrifice fly for the 1-0 lead before junior Danny Chaisson (Watertown, MA) and Ryan McCarthy (Shrewsbury, MA) followed with back-to-back run producing hits.

Chaisson then helped increase the FSC advantage to 5-0 on a two-run double in the top of the fifth. To that point, Spear had allowed three walks and plunked a batter, but WSC did nothing with the opportunities.

It was in the sixth that the Lancers finally broke the shutout on Caparell’s single. Junior Johno Hinkell (N. Adams, MA) made the score 5-3 on a two-run double to centerfield, but Spear induced a pair of outs to end the inning.

Framingham State took advantage of a pair of miscues in the infield as McCarthy drove in a pair with a single up the middle to make it a 7-3 game.

FSC sophomore Mike Cain (Gloucester, MA) hurled a scoreless inning for the visitors, but the Worcester State left the bases loaded. In all they had a frustrating game at the plate as they left eight on base.

Lucier (5-2) went the distance as he absorbed the loss. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on ten hits as he fanned eight and walked four.

Callahan went 3-for-4 while Chaisson and McCarthy each added a pair of hits with a trio of RBIs in the triumph for Framingham State.

In the nightcap Framingham State scored six runs over the first four innings to post an early 6-0 advantage. In the second, FSC scored on three consecutive singles by junior’s classmates Joe Sheenan (Burlington, MA), Joe Wojcik (Dracut, MA) and Daniel Tomasz (Newburyport, MA). Sheenan notched an RBI double in the third before Tramontozzi stroked a two-run single in the fourth.

Worcester State responded in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI triple by junior Paul Rodriguez (San Antonio, TX) and a run producing ground out by Caparell.

The fifth would see both teams scoring a run each – with Worcester State grabbing a score on a solo homer by freshman Chris Creen (Worcester, MA/St. John’s) – but Lindberg would then shut the Lancers down. He retired five of the last seven batters to preserve the victory for the Rams.

Lindberg (4-1) tossed seven innings allowing three runs off four hits while he added seven punch outs with two walks.

Senior Mike Borowiec (Spencer, MA) was tagged for the loss as he allowed seven runs (five earned) off 13 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Borowiec (3-2) also walked and struck out a pair. Junior Chad Kasik (Dudley, MA) and fourth-year Kevin Hayes (Medford, MA) each combined for 2 2/3 perfect innings as the fanned three.

Ketterer and Sheehan each went 3-for-4 while Tomasz and McCarthy each chipped in with two hits for FSC. Worcester State only tallied four hits in the second contest as they were held to seven total on the afternoon.

McDonald kept his hit streak alive with singles in each game of the double-header as he now has a hit in 22 consecutive contests.

Both teams will continue their respective league schedules when they host MASCAC opponents on Tuesday. Worcester State will entertain Fitchburg State in a twin bill at 2 PM at Fitton Field while Framingham State will take on Salem State in a doubleheader against Salem State at 2:30.