Worcester, MA - The Saint Joseph Blue Jays (6-7-1, 1-0) hosted the Worcester State Lancers (1-9,0-0) in their fifteenth game of the new season. In a tough matchup, the Lancers look to end their five game losing streak as the Blue Jays hope to continue their hot streak, winning four of their last five games. Worcester is returning to New England action after a week in Florida for Spring Break action.

FINAL: WSU 1 | 2 SJ

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Pitching for the Saint Joseph Blue Jays, first year Ethan Slowik (Greenevill, NY) would get the game started by pitching to Worcester State Lancer and senior, Tom Halliwell (Leomonster, MA). But after three quick outs for the Lancers, the roles would switch and the Blue Jays would swiftly be up at bat before they would similarly strike out three times, leading to a scoreless first inning with points yet to be scored and seemingly hard to come by. 

In a back and forth match, points would not be the only thing hard to come by. Both hits and runs would be rare until the bottom of the third, as sophomore Dom Scalia (Northford, CT) would strike the ball, allowing him to run to second base. Moments later, in a bold and successful attempt, Scalia would advance to third while sophomore JJ Fox (Killingworth, CT) would reach first base on an error and eventually steal second. Fortunately, all the Blue Jays efforts to get on the scoreboard would fall flat. With two bases loaded and the inning becoming increasingly more action packed, the tense Lancers would save themselves from giving up any points through great teamwork and the persistence to stop Scalia from touching home base. 

But just a few possessions later, the onslaught of hits from the Blue Jays would add up and have junior Ryan Shaw (Ellington, CT), sophomore Ryan Quinn (Middletown, CT), and sophomore Trevin Russ (Killingly, CT) on first, second and third base. Bases loaded, Quinn would score the first point of the game for the Blue Jays and lead Russ to advance to third as two more Blue Jays would occupy the bases. This time, it would be junior Nick Hutson (Queens, NY) and sophomore Chase Belisle (Wolcott, CT). Bases loaded once again and looking for more points, the Lancers quickly shut down their moment of opportunity by getting their third and final out of the fourth inning. 

Now, at the start of the fifth and the Blue Jays leading by 1-0, pitcher Ethan Slowik would be replaced by first year Dylan Meyer (Mystic, CT). Meyer, who started off the game strong, would quickly give up several hits to the Worcester State Lancers. After giving his first hit of the game to first year Jeremy Delacruz (Lowell, MA), the trio of Delacruz, Halliwell, and junior Tyler Smith (Leominster, MA) would have the bases loaded for the Lancers before Halliwell would tie the game at 1-1 in the sixth inning and the score would remain the same throughout a scoreless seventh and eighth inning. 

Though, the ninth and final inning would change the tied affair after the Blue Jays would load the bases up with first year Tyler Carlstrom (Rocky Hill, CT), Russ, and sophomore Nelson Rondon (Meriden, CT) before Rondon would dash to home base and put the game to rest, as the Blue Jays secure a 2-1 win versus the Lancers, continuing their dreaded losing streak.

WHAT'S NEXT:

After a hard fought game the Lancers (1-10, 0-0) now have to prepare and face the struggling MCLA Trailblazers (3-10, 0-0) who are on a six game losing streak of their own should the weather allow on Thursday at MCLA at 3:30pm in a nine-inning battle.