Baseball Splits Twin Bill With Westfield State, 5-4 and 12-5

MASCAC Tournament Baseball Bracket

Worcester, MA --- The Worcester State baseball team split their final MASCAC conference doubleheader this afternoon against Westfield State at Rockwood Park this afternoon. The Lancers took game one, 5-4, before dropping the nightcap, 12-5.

With the conclusion of the leagues regular-season, the Blue and Gold (17-20, 8-6 MASCAC) have earned the right to host in the opening round as the fourth seed and they will entertain #5 Bridgewater State on Thursday at 3:30.

Should they earn the win over the Bears, they move on to the MASCAC Quarterfinals to take on Salem State on Friday at 3 o'clock.

The third-seeded Owls (15-19, 8-6 MASCAC) will also entertain #6 Mass Maritime on Thursday at 3 o'clock in the opening round. 

The Owls jumped out early in the first inning of the opener plating a two-out run for the 1-0 edge. Senior Andrew Medeiros (Acushnet, MA) singled up the middle, then swiped second and third, crossing home on classmate Kevin Greene's (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) run producing single up the middle.

Westfield State grabbed another run in the second on a two-bagger to left center by first-year Tyler Adams (W. Barnstable, MA) that allowed freshman Matt Ferrelli (Milford, MA) to touch home after he doubled to start off the frame.

The Blue and Gold cut the deficit in half when senior Nick Gezotis (Westfield, MA) singled home sophomore Rob MacDonald (Waltham, MA) in the bottom of the second for the 2-1 score.

The Lancers added a pair of runs in the third inning to gain a 3-2 advantage. Sophomore Zach George (Attleboro, MA) blasted an RBI double to left-center and came around to score on a single by second-year Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA), two batters later.

Worcester State doubled up their lead with another score in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single through the left side by senior Kurt Sabacinski (Worcester, MA/ St. Peter Marian) for the 4-2 score.

Osburn then touched home again with a key score in the fifth when junior Dan Ubele (Tyngsboro, MA) sent a base-knock up the middle for the 5-2 edge.

The Owls plated two runs in the sixth to climb right back into it and cut the lead to just one run heading into the final frame.

Ferrelli came around to score on a fielder's choice after singling to start the inning and sophomore Dan Rokitowski (Wappingers Falls, NY) cracked an RBI single to right field for the 5-4 tally.

Senior Nick Bonofiglio (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) then stranded the bases loaded by recording a punch-out to end the threat and protect the one-run advantage.

Bonifiglio (3-4) completed his sixth game of the season, yielding four earned runs on 10 hits to go with three walks and nine strikeouts.

Sophomore Peter Cassidy (Bluffton, SC) was charged with the loss. Cassidy (2-4) tossed six innings surrendering five runs on 10 hits with a pair of free passes and two punch-outs.

Osburn ended the game 2-for-3 at the dish with an RBI and a run scored while Sabacinski collected a pair of singles and a run batted in.

Medeiros finished at 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored while Greene and Adams each collected two hits and an RBI for Westfield State. Ferrelli registered a 3-for-4 performance with two runs scored.

In the nightcap each team plated a run in the first inning before Worcester State put up a three spot in the bottom of the third.

Sophomore David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) broke the tie with a two-run shot over the left field fence before Osburn produced a sacrifice fly to score Sabacinski for the 4-1 advantage.

However, Westfield State scored 10 unearned runs in the top half of the fifth to regain the 11-4 lead.

The inning was highlighted by a pair of two-run singles off the bats of junior Kyle Colesanti (Mount Kisco, NY) and second-year Pat McWilliams (Duxbury, MA) and a run producing double by Greene.

The Lancers plated a run in the bottom of the fifth when junior Joe Carlier (Rockland, MA) smacked an RBI single through the left side for the 11-5 score.

The Owls added another unearned run in the sixth for the 12-5 final.

Sophomore Mike Molta (Nantucket, MA) earned the decision on the bump. Molta (3-3) went four innings giving up four runs on seven hits with a trio of walks.

Senior Curt Everett (Lexington, MA) picked up his first save of the season tossing the final three frames yielding only one run on two hits with one walk and a pair of strikeouts.

Senior Alex Teal (Malden, MA) absorbed the setback. Teal (5-5) hurled 4 2/3 innings surrendering 11 runs (one earned) on eight hits with four free passes and four punch-outs.

Greene was 3-for-5 in game two with a pair of doubles to go with two RBI's and a run scored while Rokitowski registered a pair of base knocks with an RBI as he touched home on a trio of occasions.

Sabacinski recorded two hits in four trips to the dish with an RBI for the hosts.

Ruggiero went a combined 4-for-8 in both contests with a HR and a pair of runs driven in and scored while George ended the day 3-for-6 overall with two RBI's and two runs scored to pace the Lancer offense.

George continues to swing a hot bat as he raised his MASCAC leading batting average to .406 with his performance this afternoon. Teal is .01 off the MASCAC lead in earned run average for second-place (1.37).

Westfield State outslugged the Blue and Gold, 10-9, in the nightcap after both squads registered 10 hits apiece in game one.

Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant