Worcester, MA- After claiming their 14 straight win in dominant fashion just last night, the third seeded Worcester State Softball team (24-12, 9-5) is looking to grab not only their 15th straight but their first win over Framingham State (25-13, 10-4) second seeded Rams. This is the first in a double elimination playoff format with the winner advancing to the semifinals with the loser advancing to the losers bracket of the semifinal play in. 

Final

Worcester State: 5

Framingham State: 3

How it Happened:

An early senior, and MASCAC Player of the Year,  Emma Lanpher (Charlton, MA) walk would lead to the Lancers first run of the game as junior Emma Lapoint (Westfield, MA) would double to left to send in Lanpher. A fellow junior Bella Gasbarro (Leominster, MA) double with two outs would bring Lapoint in for run two for a Lancer 2-0 lead in the first. 

Worcester would double the lead in the second off some errors by the Rams that would see sophomore Cali Brouillard (Millbury, MA) on base and advanced off a single by Lanpher. A run down play that saw an error on the shortstop would allow Brouillard to come home and Lanpher to find herself on third. A single to left by Lapoint would nab another RBI for her as Lanpher crossed the plate.

The Lancers made quick work of Framingham at the top of the third and gained a run off a Junior Amanda Adamuska (Dudley, MA) career 100th hit that would eventually lead to a wild pitch crossing run for the 5-0 lead.

The bottom of the fourth would find Framingham finding their long struggling offensive rhythm, capitalizing on some miscues by the Lancers to grab three runs and cut the lead to just two runs for Worcester. 

The fifth and sixth would be a quiet one for both teams as they each had some small chances but nothing that would tally runs. Both teams would look to the seventh to solidify their postseason positions for Friday. The Lancers while knocking one door were unable to add any further cushion as senior Sarah Gosselin (Charlton, MA) looked to secure the save and victory. With the final fly out to right field, the Lancers secured the win, holding on for the 5-3 win.

What's Next:

With the incoming weather the tournament games have all been shifted from Friday to Saturday with the Lancers set to play at 11am versus Westfield at Westfield State pending final determination of field conditions. If conditions are unplayable, the games will be moved to Framingham State.