Worcester, MA --- Worcester State and Mass Maritime split a two-game series this afternoon in MASCAC baseball action.
The Lancers won the opener, 7-6, in a walk-off victory before freshman Logan Sullo (Dartmouth, MA/Bishop Stang) finished a single shy of the cycle in a 5-2 win for the Buccaneers.
In the opener Mass Maritime (7-5, 2-1 MASCAC) took their first lead of the game at 3-1 in the top of the fifth taking advantage of a high tag at home plate by the first baseman and an RBI single by freshman William Keane (Braintree, MA).
The Blue and Gold (8-9, 1-1 MASCAC) came right back with two scores in the next half frame to knot up the contest at 3-3 on consecutive run scoring doubles by senior Zach George (Attleboro, MA) and sophomore Jake Ryan (Whitinsville, MA).
The sixth was even as Buccaneer senior Bobby Rosano (N. Reading, MA) rapped out an RBI solo knock and junior John Boyd (Worcester, MA/Worcester Tech) plated Ruggiero from third on a ground out to the shortstop.
In the top of the seventh the visitors went up 6-3 as sophomore Jonah Olsen (Falmouth, MA) scampered home on a perfectly executed double steal and junior Everett Walsh (Marstons Mills, MA) crossed the plate on a passed ball.
That set the stage for Worcester State to rally for three runs in the last of the seventh and their first MASCAC victory of the campaign.
Following three consecutive hits, Ryan drew a bases loaded walk and then sophomore Adam Barry (Auburn, MA/Holy Name) hit a deep sacrifice fly into the outfield for the game-tying run.
After making the catch, the centerfielder tried to keep both runners at their respective bases, but he chucked the ball into foul territory and George touched home for the game-winning score on the errant throw.
WSU originally staked the 1-0 edge in the bottom of the first on an RBI two-bagger by Ruggiero to score George who finished the contest with two hits and three trips to home plate.
Senior Ben Libuda (Auburn, MA) upped his record to 3-1 going the distance for the Lancers. Libuda permitted six runs (three earned) on nine hits to go with six strikeouts and four walks.
Senior Zac Cooney (E. Bridgewater, MA) (0-1) absorbed the loss for Mass Maritime in relief. Junior Kevin Kwedor (Marshfield, MA) went the first five innings giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits as he notched two strikeouts and walked one.
To start off the nightcap, Mass Maritime scored single runs over the first two frames. Sullo had an RBI double in the first and freshman Connor Kennedy (W. Barnstable, MA) rapped out an run producing single to bring home sophomore Jake Petruzzelli (Abington, MA), who reached on a throwing miscue by the shortstop.
In a moment of near déjà vu, Boyd and senior Nick Gikas (Danvers, MA) both crossed home plate to tie up the score 2-2 in the bottom of the second on a wild throw by the left fielder as a man stood on every base, to keep the runners honest at the plate, however, his bid sailed into foul territory near the home dugout.
Sullo put his team on his back in a big way as he had a hand in the final three runs for Mass Maritime. He laced a triple into the right centerfield gap for the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth and then Sullo jacked a two-run homer for his first collegiate blast to put the visitors up 5-2 in the top of the seventh.
With the one-run advantage on the board entering the bottom of the fifth, sophomore Daniel Avery (Milford, MA) spun three scoreless frames of two-hit relief. He stranded Ryan at third in the fifth and then he left two runners on base to close out the seventh for his first career save.
Senior TJ Nortarangelo (Foxboro, MA) hurled four strong innings in the win for Mass Maritime, giving up two unearned runs on four hits to even out his record to 1-1. He issued two free passes and rung up three on strikes.
Senior Kris Doyle (Millbury, MA) fanned nine in his third complete game of the campaign. Doyle surrendered five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and he issued one walk.
Rosano, Kennedy and sophomore Terrence Mudie (Barnstable, MA) all had two hits each for the Buccaneers.
Unlike the first game, George registered a pair of base-knocks for WSU as the lone multi-hitter. Ruggiero also extended his hitting streak to 16 straight games.
Worcester State comes out of the Easter holiday with a home double-header on Monday against Nichols starting at 2 PM while Mass Maritime plays host to Newbury on Wednesday at 3:30.
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