North Adams, MA --- Senior Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) went 5-for-9 with six runs and six RBIs as she helped propel Worcester State to a 10-1 and 16-1 sweep of MCLA this afternoon in MASCAC softball action.
The Lancers (11-13, 4-2 MASCAC) struck first in the opener with the early 2-0 advantage on a two-run double by freshman Kaitlyn Storro (Leominster, MA).
WSU built up their lead to 4-0 on an RBI double by Cordio and a plated run by senior Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA).
The Trailblazers (4-20, 2-4 MASCAC) cut into the lead by pushing across a run in the bottom of the second. Junior Erin Kelley (Turners Falls, MA) singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She was then driven home by freshman Sam Barbarotta (Pittsfield, MA).
The two base-knocks proved to be the only safties that junior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) would yield as she finished tossing five frames of hitless softball. Everson set down 15 of her last 17 batters and finished with a season-best 10 strikeouts.
Worcester State put the game out of reach in the top of the fifth with four runs for the 8-1 edge. The Lancers took advantage of miscues in the infield with the bases loaded and Everson keyed the frame with a two-run single.
WSU scored two more runs in the top of the seventh on RBIs by junior Aimee Lamoureux (E. Brookfield, MA) and Storro.
MCLA junior Ainsley MacDonald (White River Junction, VT) was tagged with the loss. MacDonald (3-14) gave up 10 runs (seven earned) on nine hits to go with seven walks and four wild pitches.
Cordio, Storro and Howe each had two base-knocks each as Cordio scored four runs and Storro contributed a trio of RBIs.
In the nightcap, the Lancers started off the second game the same way they began the opening contest with the 6-0 margin after three full frames. Lamoureux had an RBI single in the first and an RBI double while Cordio knocked in two with a triple in the second and a homer in the fourth.
MCLA cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth with an unearned run. Junior Kendra Hobbs (Haverhill, MA) scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman Angelica Perfido (Whately, MA).
After tacking on another run on an RBI double by freshman Katie Roy (Worcester, MA/Burncoat), the Lancers batted around in a nine-run seventh. Taking advantage of back-to-back miscues in the infield the scoring was highlighted by a two-run single by Storro and a base-clearing two-bagger by Roy.
Roy (1-1) finished allowing one unearned run, four hits, one walk while she fanned six.
Cordio, Lamoureux and Roy all had three hits while Cordio and Roy both combined for nine RBIs. Only one Lancer in the lineup did not finish with two runs scored as Storro and sophomore Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) chipped in with two hits.
Senior Kelly Pirzl (1-1) was handed the defeat for MCLA. Overall, Cordio had 12 total bases in the twinbill.
Both squads return to MASCAC action on Monday. Worcester State entertains Framingham State at Rockwood Park at 12 PM while the Trailblazers head to Bridgewater State for a 1 o'clock match-up.