DARTMOUTH, Mass. – A four-run first inning was enough for sophomore Mac Curran (Lakeville, Mass.), who pitched a complete game to shut out the Worcester State Lancers 4-0 in non-conference action Thursday afternoon. UMass Dartmouth snaps a two-game skid to improve to 7-6 on the campaign, while the Lancers fall to 8-9 on the season.

In only 92 pitches, Curran went the distance for the Corsairs. The sophomore from Lakeville scattered four hits, not letting a Worcester State player advance past second base. Sophomore Jose Vasquez (Roxbury, Mass.) paced the Corsairs at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, while classmate Ervin Kantardzic (Roslindale, Mass.) posted a 2-for-4 performance.

UMass Dartmouth struck four times in the bottom of the first inning. Kantardzic beat out an infield single, and proceeded to steal second during the next at-bat. Junior Taylor Cacciola (West Greenwich, RI.) reached on a single just out of the reach of the Lancers' third baseman, moving Kantardzic to third. Kantardzic would score on a passed ball.

After a Jack Harrington (Barnstable, Mass.) walk, sophomore Kenny Michael (Norwood, Mass.) reached base on an error by the second baseman, scoring Cacciola from third. Michael stole second base, before Vasquez singled to left field, plating Harrington from third.

Freshman Ryan Ainslie (Weymouth, Mass.) ended the scoring for the Corsairs with a double to left field, scoring Michael.

After a single up the middle by junior Adam Barry (Auburn, Mass.), Curran closed out the game by retiring the last 10 Lancers who came to the plate.  Barry was the only player from Worcester State to collect more than one hit.

On the day, the UMass Dartmouth defense turned three double plays to help Curran keep the Lancers off the board.

Curran improves to 1-1 on the year, while Worcester State freshman Kevin Valentine (Milford, Mass.) took the loss for the Lancers after giving up eight hits over his seven innings of work. Valentine struck out nine batters, but allowed four runs (one earned).

The Lancers resume play on Saturday, April 2, taking on their first MASCAC opponent of the year, Mass. Maritime on the road.

Release Courtesy of UMass-Dartmouth Sports Information