Cape Coral, FL --- The Worcester State softball team was defeated twice on Wednesday afternoon in a 7-6 setback by Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a 4-2 loss against Hendrix.
The Lancers (2-6) batted around and took over a 6-2 lead in the third inning in their contest against the Titans in their first contest.
With two outs, senior Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA) and Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA) along with first-year teammates Kaitlyn Storro (Leominster, MA) and Katie Roy (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) all chipped in with RBIs with the bases loaded.
Wisconsin-Oshkosh (6-3) would pull their starter in favor of freshman Julie Sweeney (Arlington Heights, IL) who gave up a two-run single to sophomore Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) before ending the frame on a strikeout.
It was from there that Sweeney would retire every batter she faced and toss four perfect innings to give her team a chance to come-from-behind. Sweeney fanned five and improved her season mark to 2-0.
In the third, the Titans had a big two-run single from junior Hillary Trebiatowski (Plover, WI) and freshman Katie Koepsel (Oak Creek, WI) crossed home plate on a passed ball in the fourth.
In the fifth, Wisconsin Oshkosh juiced the bases as Koepsel had an RBI single to knot the score at 6-6, but Hassett would preserve the tie and end the inning a laser beam from centerfield.
The Titans scored the game winning run in the top of the sixth when first-year Ceres Zaragoza (San Antonio, TX) drove in classmate Emily Miskoski (Stevens Point, WI), who was on base after leading off the inning with a single and a swipe of second. The base-knock proved to be their fifth run that was scored with two outs.
Junior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) was tagged with the setback in the complete-game effort. Everson (1-3) yielded seven run (six earned) on 12 hits to go with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.
Besozzi was the lone multi-hitter with a 2-for-4 performance as Mikoski and Trebiatowski both had two base-knocks apiece. Wisconsin-Oshkosh out-hit WSU, 12-7.
Hendrix (8-6) took the early 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the first when junior Paula Burr (Jacksonville, AK) belted a two-run double and a plated run by sophomore Tiffany Hubbard (Oppeolo, AK).
The Warriors tacked on one more run on an RBI single by freshman Michaela Larabee (Farmington, AK).
Down 4-0, WSU would have just two base runners until the sixth inning when they finally got on the scoreboard, when senior Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) came across home plate on a passed ball. Howe, who reached on an error in the infield and moved to third on the miscue by the catcher would be stranded as first-year Lauren Whitby (Lewisville, TX) set down the last two outs to end the threat.
The Blue and Gold made one final attempt in the seventh on a lead-off single by junior Aimee Lamoureux (E. Brookfield, MA). Storro jacked a double into left center to help the Lancers trail, 4-2, but the comeback would be short lived as Whitby retired the last two batters to close out the game.
Whitby (2-4) impressed as she allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits to go along with four strikeouts. Whiby walked no one, but she plunked one batter.
Junior Melissa Beaudry (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) was handed the setback. Beaudry (1-1) pitched the first three innings allowing three earned runs on four hits. Roy hurled the final three frames and allowed just an unearned run. Neither fanned a batter and they each allowed one walk apiece.
Sophomore Catelyn Gibbs (Sachse, TX) went 2-for-4 for Hendrix as there were no multi-hitters for WSU.
The Lancers will close their spring trip with rematches against St. Olaf (9 AM) and the University of New England (11 AM) on Thursday.