Auburndale, FL --- Clarkson defeated Worcester State 15-6 and 5-4 this afternoon in non-conference baseball action at the RussMatt Invitational. Sophomore Cory Loomer (Shrewsbury, MA) went 3-for-3 in the opener while the Golden Knights held off a late Lancer comeback in the nightcap.
Clarkson (6-1) took the early 1-0 lead in the second game on an RBI single by Jerry Coleman (Potsdam, NY).
WSU responded and knotted the score 1-1 in the top of the second on an RBI ground-out by Loomer, after freshman Jeff Bolio (Oxford, MA) reached base on a lead-off single, moved to second on a balk and third on a sacrifice bunt.
The Blue and Gold (2-8) built on their advantage in the third frame on a sacrifice fly by freshman Zachary George (Attleboro, MA). Freshman David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) sparked things with a double to start the inning and then he tagged up on a deep blast to right by sophomore Joseph Carlier (Rockland, MA).
Clarkson got to freshman right hander Eric Perez (Springfield, MA) in the bottom of the fourth when they pushed across a pair of runs – with two men down – on a two-RBI single by Jerry Coleman. With runners on first and second, junior Alex Teal (Malden, MA) was summoned and two pitches into his appearance he induced a double play to get out of the jam.
In the fifth, the Golden Knights went up 5-2 on run producing singles by freshman John Coleman (Potsdam, NY) and junior Scott Morrissey (Troy, NY).
But the Lancers scored twice in the top of the sixth to get within a run. Sophomore JD Salinas (Fredericksburg, TX) plated Carlier and junior Kurt Sabacinski (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) scampered home on a wild pitch.
Freshman Cody Osburn (Fair Oaks, CA) tossed a scoreless bottom of the sixth to give his team a chance to score the game-tying run. WSU would put runners on first and second to threaten, but Clarkson senior David Kinney (Mexico, NY) shut the door with a strikeout to end the game for his first save of the season.
Perez (0-2) was dealt the setback who tossed 3 1/3 innings allowing three runs on five hits with two hits and a pair of strikeouts. Golden Knight sophomore Jarrod Mattingly (Philadelphia, NY) earned the win in relief as he is now 1-1 on the season.
In the opener, senior Jerry Coleman led off the game with a solo homer for the 1-0 advantage. Clarkson built up their lead to 5-0 on a two-run single by Coleman and a two RBI by Kinney.
After the Loomer helped the Lancers break the shutout on a RBI single, the Golden Knights took over a commanding 11-1 margin when six players drove in runs including Kinney, Morrissey and Joe Coleman.
Clarkson added two more runs with the bases loaded on sacrifice flies by Kinney and sophomore Kolby Ziemendorf (Webster, NY).
Facing the 13-1 deficit, the Blue and Gold crossed home plate six times and nearly batted around in the bottom of the sixth. Salinas, Loomer, George and sophomore Dan Ubele (Tyngsboro, MA) all drove in runs for WSU.
Clarkson capped off the game with two runs in the seventh for the final score. Golden Knight freshman Matt Ehrets (Johnson City, NY) hurled the final three innings for his first career save.
Junior Joe Piscitelli (Oxford, MA) was dealt the loss for the Lancers in his first start of the season. Clarkson third-year Bryan Chudy (Goshen, NY) picked up the win after he went the first four innings allowing one earned run to go along with two strikeouts and one walk.
In the first game, Sabacinski scored twice and he added two base-knocks. Jerry Coleman was a double short of the cycle as he drew walks in his final two at-bats after homering, singling and rapping out a triple hit in the fourth.
The Lancers take a day off before they play Southern Maine in a twinbill at the Lake Myrtle baseball complex starting at high noon.