Worcester, MA --- Worcester State and Westfield State split a doubleheader series this afternoon at Alumni Field in MASCAC softball action.

Junior teammates Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) and Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) were instrumental in the Lancers 3-2 opening win before dropping the nightcap, 6-1.

The Blue and Gold (19-9, 9-3 MASCAC) had RBI singles by Terry and junior Sara Pelletier (Leominster, MA) in the top of the first for the early 2-0 margin as the visitors took advantage of a misplayed fly ball by the left fielder on the opening play of the game.

Rich permitted an unearned run in the bottom of the first, but stranded runners on in every inning by a ferocious attack by the Owls. In total the hosts stranded eight on base – including five in scoring position – from the second through the fifth innings.

Ahead by one score, the Lancers pushed across a key insurance run in the top of the sixth. After Terry doubled to start of the frame, sophomore Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, MA) traded placed with follow on a two-bagger of her own.

The tally loomed large as freshman Maddy Atkocaitis (Westfield, MA) notched a connected on a solo run scoring pinch-hit triple, but Rich ended the threat with a pop-up while the tying run stood on third base.

Rich hurled a scoreless bottom of the seventh to complete her eighth contest of the season. She scattered 11 hits and allowed two runs (one earned) as she recorded a pair of strikeouts.

Terry went 3-for-4 to pace the Lancers hitting attack as the lone multi-hitter.

In game two, Westfield State (7-15, 3-7 MASCAC) tagged Rich for solo scores in the second and fourth innings. The Owls broke things open in the top of the fifth for the 4-0 advantage on a two-run triple by sophomore Emma Dunbar (Weymouth, MA).

Worcester State did get one run back on an RBI single up the middle by freshman Samantha Rivers (Leicester, MA), however, the hosts tacked on two more tallies to put the game out of reach.

Sophomore Julie Sullivan (W. Barnstable, MA) (4-6) was credited with the victory for firing a six-hitter as she permitted one earned run, five strikeouts and three walks over her seven frames of work.

Rich (13-2) gave up four earned runs on 10 hits to go with one base on balls and one strikeout.

Rivers was the lone repeat hitter, going 2-for-3 at the plate.

Worcester State hosts Western Connecticut tomorrow in a twin bill at 2:30 PM. Westfield State entertains Mass Maritime in their MASCAC doubleheader series finale on Saturday at 1 PM.

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