MIT 7, Worcester State 3
Cambridge, MA --- After trailing for the first half of the game, the MIT baseball team scored seven unanswered runs to defeat non-conference opponent Worcester State College, 7-3, Sunday on Briggs Field. The win boosts the Engineers to 13-15 on the season, while the Lancers are now 28-10-1.
Worcester State was first on the scoreboard, striking in the second inning. After an errant pitch put lead-off batter Nick Fluegge (Ware, MA) on first, a single by junior Paul Rodriguez (San Antonio, TX) added a second runner. Freshman Shawn Trombley (Leominster, MA) cleared the bases with a single up the middle, giving the Lancers a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth, WSC senior Ryan LaPrade (Leominster, MA) hit a single into shallow center field to bring home Trombley, who had reached base on a mishandled bunt, extending the Blue and Gold lead to 3-0.
MIT struggled at the hands of WSC starter Bobby DeVito (Webster, MA), who gave up only one hit with two strikeouts and four walks in five innings on the mound.
In the bottom of the sixth, Worcester State reliever Chris Creen (Worcester, MA/St. John's) opened the inning by loading the bases with three consecutive walks. MIT junior Brian Doyle (Hopkinton, MA) was first to capitalize, scoring freshman Ricardo Perez (Vienna, VA) on a fielder's choice before sophomore Zach Carr (Chatham, NJ) brought home two more with a shot to right field, evening the score at 3-3.
MIT starter Aric Dama (Winfield, IL) (2-2) retired after seven innings, giving up a trio of hits, three runs with three strikeouts and one walk.
The Cardinal and Gray took the lead in the seventh when senior Stewart Park (Brooklyn, NY) singled and freshman James McKinney walked to set up a two-run double by Perez, giving Tech its first lead at 5-3. Worcester State’s Phil Recco (Concord, MA) (3-1) was on the hook for the loss, having yielded 2 runs and 1 walk in one inning thrown.
MIT added two insurance runs in the eighth as McKinney and Hyatt registered RBI hits, giving the Engineers a 7-3 advantage.
Freshman closer Henry Zhu (Overland Park, NY) tossed a solid ninth inning for MIT, notching his fourth save on the year and allowing only 3 hits in 2 scoreless innings pitched.
The Engineers’ home-stand continues tomorrow when they take on the Falcons of NAIA institution Fisher College on Monday, May 3, at 4 PM.
The Lancers begin the MASCAC Championship Tournament on Thursday, May 6, facing off against first-round opponent Framingham State at home.
Release Courtesy of MIT Sports Information