#6 Worcester State 7, #3 Western New England College 5 - 8 Innings
Springfield, MA --- Sixth-seeded Worcester State scored two runs in the eighth inning for a 7-5 victory over third-seeded Western New England College in an opening round game of the Eastern College Athletic College (ECAC) Division III New England Championship this afternoon.
With the win the Lancers improve to 20-17 while WNEC ends their season at 26-20-1. The Blue and Gold head to Keene State to play second seeded Lesley University in the double-elimination semifinals on Saturday at 12 PM. The winner or loser will play later on that afternoon against either #5 Bridgewater State or the top seeded Owls.
"Together we're strong," said second-year head coach Jen
Kapenas after their first ECAC triumph since 1997. "(When
things got tough) I was especially proud of how composed we were
throughout the seventh and eighth innings."
Sophomore Stephanie Mullen (Natick, MA)
and classmate Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA)
knocked in the deciding runs in the eighth with a RBI double and
run-scoring single, respectively. After WSC took a 7-5 advantage
into the eighth, junior Michaella Mahoney
(Shrewsbury, MA) hurled a scoreless eighth frame to preserve
the triumph.
Trailing by three entering the bottom of the seventh, Western New
England College sent the contest into an extra innings by scoring
three runs starting with a run-scoring single by sophomore Sarah
Lempicki (Plantsville, CT) that was followed by a two-run homer by
sophomore Rachel Wyrwa (Methuen, MA). But Mahoney soon ended the
threat of a runner on second with a pair of outs to end the
inning.
The Golden Bears took the early 2-0 lead in the third
following a RBI double by senior center fielder Lauren Arsenault
(Fitchburg, MA) and a run-producing single by Wyrwa.
The Lancers tallied their first run in the fourth when
sophomore Jamie Jacobs (Billerica, MA) hit a
sacrifice fly that scored Cordio who led off the inning with a
double and move up a base on a sacrifice bunt.
Mullen homered with one-out in the fifth and senior Ashley
Loomer (Pepperell, MA) came through with a clutch two-out
single to give the visitors a 3-2 lead in the fifth.
Worcester State tacked on two more runs in the seventh when Jacobs
delivered a two-run single with two outs for a pair of insurance
runs for the 5-2 edge in the top of the seventh. That was before
WNEC rallied for three runs to answer in the bottom of the
inning.
Cordio finished going 2-for-2 with two runs an reached base five
times after getting three walks. Mullen also had two hits and two
runs while Jacobs enjoyed a three RBI day at the plate.
Western New England College had an 11 to 10 advantage in hits with
Arsenault going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and runs. Wyrwa had
two hits and three RBI while Lempicki also collected a pair of
hits.
Mahoney went the distance to raise her record to 14-10 after
striking out three and walking two.
Lempicki, who took a no-hitter into the fourth, pitched the first
seven innings and had four strikeouts with three
walks. Sophomore Megan Riemann (Thompson, CT)
(7-7) came in relief in the eighth and took the loss.
Major Portions of Release Courtesy of Western New England College Sports Information