Worcester, MA -- Worcester State swept Framingham State, 1-0 and 5-0, this afternoon in MASCAC softball action at Rockwood Park.
With the win, the Lancers (16-13, 6-4 MASCAC) log their fourth consecutive shutout while the Rams drop to 7-23 and even out to 4-4 in the MASCAC. Today's twinbill is a make-up from a postponed doubleheader that was supposed to be played in Framingham last Sunday.
Senior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) tossed a one-hitter with nine strikeouts in the opener while senior classmates Alex Kerr (Franklin, MA) and Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA) combined for six of Worcester State's eight base-knocks in the nightcap.
With the game scoreless through four complete frames of play, the Lancers notched the lone run of the contest in the top of the fifth.
Sophomore Katie Storro (Leominster, MA) singled up the middle and moved to third on consecutive passed balls - all with two men down in the inning.
After junior Carolyn Hassett(Charlton, MA) walked and swiped second to put two in scoring position, the catcher overthrew her target in the circle which allowed Storro to scamper home on the errant throw.
However, Framingham State senior Yaya Faria (Acton, MA) buckled down and ended the threat with a strikeout. She helped keep her team within striking distance by stranding two more runners in scoring position in the sixth and tossed a scoreless seventh.
Everson (4-5) was outstanding as she retired 13 of her first 14 before she yielded a solo base-knock to junior Andrea Smith (Milford, MA) in the bottom of the fifth.
Faria (5-10) scattered eight hits, walked one, allowed the lone unearned run and she recorded five punchouts in her seven innings of work.
Pease, who currently leads the MASCAC in batting (.385), was the lone multi-hitter with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
In the nightcap, the Blue and Gold staked the 3-0 advantage in the top of the first inning.
After consecutive base-knocks by Kerr and Pease, sophomore Katie Roy(Worcester, MA/Burncoat) drove in Kerr on a single through the right side. Pease then scampered home on a passed ball and Roy crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Kerr's infield single marked her 100th career hit.
The Lancers added two more runs in the top of the fifth to increase the margin to 5-0.
Junior Hillary Hart (Clinton, MA) drove in Kerr from third in a run-producing at-bat before Pease came across home plate on a sacrifice fly by second-year Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA).
Kerr jacked a double to left center and then Pease followed by laid down a bunt single which moved Kerr to third. Pease swiped second to move into scoring position.
Freshman Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) retired her final eight batters in order as she logged her third shutout of the campaign. Rich (8-4) fanned five and gave up just three base-knocks.
Framingham State first-year Alex Ferri (Winthrop, MA) yielded five runs (three earned) on six hits to go with two walks and a pair of strikeouts. Sophomore Kelly Naegelin (Scituate, MA) tossed a scoreless sixth and seventh for the Rams.
Both squads resume their MASCAC schedules with road games on Tuesday afternoon. Worcester State heads to Fitchburg State for a 3 o'clock matchup while Framingham State visits first-place Salem State.