Westfield, MA --- Westfield State and Worcester State split a softball doubleheader to open MASCAC play this weekend. Senior Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA) had the game-winning two-run single to lead the Lancers to a 4-3 triumph in game one and Westfield State scored three times in the sixth inning for the 5-2 triumph in the nightcap.
Besozzi helped the Blue and Gold (5-9, 1-1 MASCAC) snap a tied contest by rapping a two-out, two-RBI single in the top of the third inning for the 4-2 advantage. Both runs crossed the plate unearned as junior Aimee Lamoureux (W. Brookfield, MA) reached on a double and freshman Katie Roy (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) reached on an error. They moved into scoring position on a double-steal.
Westfield State (7-9, 1-1 MASCAC) pulled to within a run in the bottom of the sixth when junior Brittany Dussault (Chicopee, MA) singled through the left side, advanced to second on a wild pitch before and freshman Vicki Hill (W. Springfield, MA) pounded a run producing double.
But junior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) retired the next two batters to get out of the jam and she put the side down in order in the seventh. Everson (3-4) allowed eight hits and a walk and struck out seven to notch the triumph for the Lancers.
Owl senior Madeline Tomich (Alford, MA) was the losing pitcher. Tomich (4-3) gave up seven hits two walks and struck out 10 and she issued a single, a walk and hit two batters that led to the Lancers' run in the first inning with the bases juiced.
Westfield State took a 2-1 lead in the home half of the first when second-year Molly Dunbar (Weymouth, MA) slammed a two-out, two-run double off the third-baseman.
The Lancers responded by knotting the score at 2-2 the top of the second when senior Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA) hammered an RBI triple, plating sophomore Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA).
Howe, Besozzi and Hassett each had two hits for Worcester State. Senior Kerin DeGirolamo (N. Attleboro, MA) was 2 for 3 as the Owls had the 8-7 edge in base-knocks in the opener.
In the second game, Westfield State sophomore pitcher Kerry Alcott (Groton, MA) had the contest-clinching hit when she lined a run scoring double to left-center field in the sixth inning to snap a 2-2 game.
The Owls added two insurance tallies on an RBI groundout by sophomore Amanda Flower (Reading, MA) and a RBI single by first-year Kelly Kenney (Suffield, CT), who lined a shot off the leg of the pitcher.
Westfield State scored single runs for an early 2-0 lead on an RBI double by freshman Breanne Bisceglia (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) in the first and an RBI double by Dunbar that scored Alcott from first base in the second, who led off the frame drawing a walk.
The Lancers plated an unearned run the fourth when freshman Kaitlyn Storro (Leominster, MA) reached safely on an infield error and scored on a double by Lamoureux.
Worcester State would tie the score in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Roy, but left runners on second and third.
Alcott (2-3) went the distance in the circle as she allowed seven hits, two walks and fanned a pair of batters. Lancer sophomore Kelly Winter (Attleboro, MA) gave up nine hits, two walks and tallied six punch outs as her record drops to 1-4.
Kenney, Bisceglia and Hill each had two hits for the Owls, who outhit the visitors 9-7. There were no multi-hitters for Worcester State in the nightcap.
Both teams take on non-conference opponents on Tuesday. The Lancers will visit cross-town rival Clark at 4 PM while Westfield State entertains unbeaten Amherst at 3:30.
Portions of Release Courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information