Lancers Battle in NCAA Regional Game One, Fall to Greyhounds

Worcester, MA- Looking to make it 18 straight on the season the Worcester State Lancers Softball team (27-12, 9-5) journeyed to Moravian University in Bethlehem Pennsylvania to take on the 18th seeded Greyhounds (36-7, 13-3) of the Landmark conference in the opening game of the NCAA Regionals hosted by Moravian. The Greyhounds come in after taking down Catholic University in the Landmark Conference Championship for the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The two teams have a common opponent in Juniata College this year whom the Lancers faced in Florida, grabbing a 14-3 victory over.

Final

Worcester State: 2

Moravian: 10

How it Happened:

Senior Emma Lanpher (Charlton, MA) would lead things off for the Lancers working her way through eight pitches before wrapping up her at bat to put the Greyhound starting pitchers arm to work early. While Worcester would continue to make some solid connections, they were unable to claim a base. Sophomore Peyton Maloney (West Boylston, MA) would look to match the efficient work of Moravian but late hanging pitch in the count would lead to a deep two run home run to left center for the 2-0 lead. Moravian would work in a third run in the second and a fourth and fifth in the third forcing a tactic change as senior Sarah Gosselin (Charlton, MA) would take over in the mound.

The fourth saw Worcester with their first bases of the game as Lanpher pounded a double to center as the lead off batter. Junior Emma Lapoint (Westfield, MA) would record the next base as an error at first found her both settling at first and Lanpher crossing home for the first run of the game. A junior Morgan Keefe (Dracut, MA) dinger to short right would put two runners on, while a senior Abigail Koziol (Lunenburg, MA) zinger up the middle would result in Lapoint on third. Worcester worked to bring her home as junior Bella Gasbarro (Leominster, MA) would force a ball down the third base line but was unable to beat the pass to first for the third out. 

The bottom of the inning would see the Greyhounds add another three runs to their tally for 8-1 lead before action moved to the fifth. Junior Amanda Adamuska (Dudley, MA) would get a runner on early. A fielder's choice saw sophomore Taylor Coonan (Grafton, MA) swap places with Adamuska and a double by sophomore Cali Brouillard (Millbury, MA) would bring Coonan home. The Lancers would push for a sixth inning but a determined Greyhounds offense would cross the two runs needed for the 10-2 game one victory.

What's Next:

Worcester State (27-13, 9-5) will return to action in game four Regional action tomorrow at 1:30pm versus the loser of the Eastern and Williams meeting.