Salem, MA --- Worcester State and Salem State split a doubleheader series on the opening weekend of MASCAC softball action this afternoon. The Vikings posted the 2-1 victory in eight innings in the opener before the Lancers salvaged the, 5-2, split in the nightcap.

In the second game, Worcester State (7-6, 1-1 MASCAC) was paced by sophomore Katie Storro (Leominster, MA) who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs as senior Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA) contributed a pair of base-knocks.

For Salem State (6-8, 1-1 MASCAC) second-year Jenn Touissant (Reading, MA) and freshman Carla Crowley (Lynn, MA) were 2-for-3 at the dish.

The Vikings opened the contest with the 2-0 edge when Touissant plated senior Alyssa Bryan (Stoneham, MA) before Touissant came around to score on a passed ball.

But the Blue and Gold responded with three runs bottom of the second inning. Freshman Sara Pelletier (Leominster, MA) drove in classmate Hailey Arruda (Somerset, MA), then Storro smacked an RBI double and Pease followed with a run producing single for the 3-2 lead.

Bryan did keep the Lancers off the scoreboard for the next three innings, but the visitors did get to her in the bottom of the sixth when WSU tacked on two more scores to make the score 5-2.

After senior Alex Kerr (Franklin, MA) reached base on a fielder's choice and junior Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) was handed a free pass with two outs, Storro recorded her third hit of the contest with a two-run triple.

Freshman Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) earned the win for the Lancers in the second game. After giving up the two runs (one earned) in the opening frame, she settled down and retired 19 of her last 23 batters. Rich (2-3) recorded six punch outs and scattered seven base-knocks.

Bryan (5-2) gave up five runs (four earned) on nine hits to go with six strikeouts and a trio of walks.

Storro was a home run shy of the cycle in the nightcap.

In the opener, Worcester State took over the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Storro led off the frame with a single and she moved to second on a ground-out. Second-year Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA) then followed with an RBI double.

But from that point, the contest became a pitcher's duel as senior Sara Bergeron (Methuen, MA) battled with former high school teammate WSU fourth-year Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) until she was lifted in the bottom of the seventh.

The Lancers, who had put the go-ahead run on base in two out of the next four frames, had a frustrating game at the plate, leaving a total of 10 runners on base.

Bergeron's effort allowed the Vikings to knot up the score 1-1 in the top of the fifth. Junior Paige Fleming (Methuen, MA) was issued a leadoff walk and she got to second on a sacrifice. Second-year Stephanie Schien (Boxboro, MA) followed with a run producing double to equalize the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Blue and Gold put runners on second and third with no outs as Storro belted a double to start the rally and Pease chipped in with a single.

Bergeron was then lifted in favor of Bryan who induced three straight groundouts – including a key fielder's choice play at first base at the plate for the second out – to end the threat.

Using the momentum and the score tied, the Vikings plated the potential game-winning run in the top of the eighth. Bergeron was plunked by the pitcher and then Everson issued consecutive walks to load the bases.

Senior Christina Cipriani (Peabody, MA) helped the hosts take full advantage with a RBI double for the 2-1 score.

In the bottom of the eighth, Bryan, who picked up her fifth victory of the campaign, tossed a scoreless inning to help her team earn the win. She struck out one in her two frames of work. Bergeron issued five free passes and fanned five in the no-decision.

Everson (2-3) shouldered the setback despite the solid effort in the circle. She rung up a trio of batters on strikes and walked five.

Storro was 3-for-4 at the plate in the first game while Pease chipped in with a pair of base-knocks at the plate. Cipriani was also 2-for-4 for the Vikings.

Both squads will play non-conference opponents in double-headers after the Easter holiday. Worcester State hosts crosstown rival Clark at 4 PM on Tuesday while Salem State heads south for a twinbill on Monday at 3 o'clock against Brandeis.