Providence, RI --- Rhode Island College sophomore Sarah Molin (Seymour, CT) went 3-for-5 with the game-winning hit in a 11-10, eight inning victory, and junior Katelyn McCaughy (Warwick RI) spun a six-hitter in a 2-1 win to aid the Anchorwomen sweep Worcester State in non-conference softball action this evening at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex.
For the Lancers (13-7), senior Katie Storro (Leominster, MA) went 4-for-5 with, one triple, three runs and a trio of RBI in the opener while sophomore Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, RI) and junior Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) tallied a pair of hits and two plated runs each.
Terry and junior Sara Pelletier (Leominster, MA) put the Lancers up 2-0 in the top of the first on run producing singles. Storro drove in Salisbury with another score in the very next inning on an RBI solo knock.
Rhode Island College (5-13) responded in the bottom of the second by knotting up the score 3-3 as the frame was underscored by a two-run single by senior Kaytelyn Sykora (Waterford, CT).
After Worcester State went ahead by one tally on a perfectly executed squeeze play by sophomore Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, MA), the visitors went ahead 5-4 as Molin allowed classmate Mary Sweeney (Portsmouth, RI) to touch home plate before coming around to score on a double steal.
Storro led the charge in the top of the fifth as the visitors put up four runs in the top of the fifth. Following an RBI single by Salisbury, Storro lofted a solo safety to left field, which scored two runs, and then Terry tacked on another tally on a ground out.
Freshman Danielle Cacciola (Tewksbury, MA) scampered home on a dropped fly by the left fielder and Salisbury drove in her second run of the game to tack on some insurance for the 10-5 edge.
But the Anchorwomen held their ground and scored five times in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. Rhode Island College strung together four base-knocks in a row, batted around in the inning as sophomore Lauren DiScillo (E. Providence, RI) manufactured the equalizer on an RBI solo safety.
WSU threatened in a big way with runners on the corners and no outs in the top of the eighth, however, RIC sophomore Lauren Duvall (E. Greenwich, RI) kept her squad in the game by setting down the final three batters she faced.
The hosts ended the game on an RBI single by Molin, to score senior Justina Thoma (Canterbury, CT).
Freshman Julie Melanson (Gardner, MA), who was inserted into the seventh to get out of a jam, took the loss in relief as her record fell to 1-3. Duvall (2-4) earned the victory for the Anchorwomen.
Worcester State held the slim 15-13 lead in the hitting department.
In the nightcap, Storro helped snap a scoreless game in the top of the third when she traded places with senior Alyssa Hill (Erving, MA), who reached on an error in the infield and swiped second to move into scoring position.
But Rhode Island College rallied for two runs in the bottom half of the fifth on RBI singles by DiScullio and Sykora for the 2-1 advantage.
Worcester State threatened with one out as Hanley reached on a solo knock through the left side. Cacciola came off the bench to pinch hit and she responded by doubling to right, but Hanley was cut down crossing home on a laser beam by the shortstop.
McCaughey completed her gem by retiring the final batter of the contest on a ground out. McCaughey (1-7) recorded three strikeouts, allowed one unearned run and did not walk a batter.
Junior Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) was dealt her first losing decision of the year as she permitted the tying and go-ahead runs in the fifth. Rich (7-1) struck out one and Melanson hurled four scoreless frames to start off the contest.
Storro paced the line-up with two singles as the Lancers outhit their counterparts, 6-5, in game two.
Both squads will play Commonwealth Coast opponents tomorrow. Worcester State entertains Nichols in a 5 PM twin bill while RIC takes on Salve Regina in a 3 o'clock doubleheader.
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