Paxton, MA --- Sophomore Aimee Lamoureux (E. Brookfield, MA) went six-for-seven with five runs scored and six RBIs to help lead Worcester State to a pair of victories over local rival Anna Maria this afternoon. The visiting Lancers won the first game 21-0 in five innings before they completed the sweep with an 8-3 triumph.
The Blue and Gold, winners of 13 out of their last 15 games, improve their record to 23-9 overall while the AMCATS slip to 15-23 with the setback in their season finale.
In the opener, Worcester State pounded out 20 hits as senior Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA) hurled a two-hitter for her fifth shutout of the season.
Junior Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA) and Lamoureux were both a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate as they both combined for nine runs. Mahoney and sophomore Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA) were each 3-for-4 while they combined to go drive in six and cross the plate five times. Junior Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) also finished with two hits and three runs scored.
Senior Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, MA) would battle control problems in the circle in the first inning as she only lasted 1/3 of an inning. Hackenson (6-13) yielded four earned runs on just one hit, before she finished with three walks, three hit batters and one wild pitch. Hackenson would be relieved by sophomore Michelle Blackler (Ashland, MA), who finished the game.
In the second, the Lancers made the score 8-0 on a wild pitch and RBIs by Lamoureux, sophomore Alex Kerr (Franklin, MA) and junior Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA).
WSU would end the contest by scoring 13 more times for the final score as they were highlighted in the third on a two-run double by Pease and a three-run pinch-hit blast to centerfield by freshman Hillary Hart (Clinton, MA) in the fifth. The homer for Hart was her first career home run.
Mahoney would retire her first nine batters before she allowed a solo base-knock to left field to lead off the fourth to junior Mary Moroski (Worcester, MA/Holy Name). In the fifth, Mahoney (12-2) fanned the side as she finished with nine strikeouts.
In the nighcap, the score was much closer until Worcester State snapped a 0-0 tie with five runs in the top of the fourth. Lamoureux would ignite the rally with a bases-clearing triple and then Mahoney drove in Lamoureux from third. Mahoney would later score on a wild pitch.
But Anna Maria would get back three of those runs off of sophomore relief pitcher Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) as the AMCATS would make the score 5-3 on a two-run homer by Moroski and a run producing double by senior Jill Hurley (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) in the bottom of the fourth.
Scoring was held at a stand-still over the next two innings until Mahoney helped start another rally in the seventh on a solo dinger to centerfield for her team-leading sixth homer of the season. Pease tacked on a two-run double with two outs to help give WSU some breathing room.
Mahoney would set down the top of the order on three consecutive ground-outs to end twinbill.
Sophomore Melissa Beaudry (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) originally started the game and tossed three scoreless frames before she was lifted for Everson in the fourth. Everson (9-3) would end with a trio of punch-outs after she allowed three earned runs in her three innings of work.
Hackenson (6-14) shouldered the loss in the compete-game effort. She would walk eight, strikeout one batter and deliver five wild pitches.
Three of Lamoureux's six base-hits were for two doubles and the triple in the second game.
The Lancers will close out their regular season with a MASCAC home game against Mass Maritime at 12 PM. Mahoney will play in her last home game on "Senior Day."