Worcester, MA- After what amounted to two complete softball games for Worcester State (26-15, 11-3) yesterday in their battle with the Rams, they took their few hours of rest to shift focus for the MASCAC Quarterfinal elimination round game versus the Salem State Vikings (14-25, 7-7) at Westfield State where the winner would advance to the MASCAC Semifinal matchup between Westfield and Framingham. 

Final

Salem State: 3

Worcester State: 4

How it Happened:

Leading off on the mound today would be first year Peyton Maloney (West Boylston, MA) who would work with the Lancer fielders to grab a victory and extend their postseason run. The Vikings would put an early dent into those plans, recording an early run off an infield error to take a 1-0 lead over the Lancers.

The bottom of the second would see the Lancers reclaim the lead led off by a sophomore Amanda Adamuska (Dudley, MA) single to third on a successful bunt that would put a runner on. A junior Morgan Keefe (Dracut, MA) would put a second runner. First year Cali Brouillard (Millbury, MA) single would add another runner but an error by the second baseman would tie the game at one. With two runners still on, sophomore Bailey Tammaro (Fitchburg, MA) would double to left center for two more runs to score and Worcester to take the 3-1 lead. 

It was a quiet third for both teams but the fourth would see Salem tie the game at 3-3. Worcester would not let the tie hold for long as Keefe would send out a sacrifice fly in the bottom inning that would send across sophomore Bella Gasbarro (Leominster, MA) to reclaim the 4-3 lead.

That run would be all that was needed at Worcester would hold on to claim the win and advance to the MASCAC Semifinals versus Framingham State.

Maloeny would go for 5.1 innings striking out four while senior Emily Bartlett (Lowell, MA) would return to action for 1.2 innings of work, grabbing three more strikeouts to combine for the victory.

What's Next:

Worcester State (27-15, 11-3) will quickly jump back into action in their rematch versus Framingham State (21-18, 11-3) with an expected 3:30pm start.