Baseball Draws Split With Fitchburg State In MASCAC Road Matchup

Fitchburg, MA --- The Worcester State University baseball team split a MASCAC double-header this afternoon against Fitchburg State. The Lancers captured the first game 10-0 before dropping the nightcap, 5-4, in 10 innings.

The Blue and Gold (15-18, 7-5 MASCAC) jumped out to an early four run lead in the top half of the first inning of game one.

Sophomore Steve Wallace (Auburn, MA) scored the first run of the game on an error by the catcher after a bunt single by classmate David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA). Ruggiero then crossed home on a two-bagger by senior Kurt Sabacinski (Worcester, MA/ St. Peter-Marian).

Sabacinski was then doubled home by second-year Zach George (Attleboro, MA) before junior Dan Ubele (Tyngsboro, MA) hit an RBI single through the left side for the final score of the frame.

WSU added two more in the following inning when Sabacinski drove home Wallace on an infield single and Ruggiero advanced home on a throwing error by the shortstop on that same play for the 6-0 advantage.

The Lancers tacked on a pair of runs in each the fifth and sixth innings for the 10-0 final.

George finished with a pair of doubles to go along with two RBI's and two runs scored while Ubele added a 3-for-4 performance with one run batted in at the dish.

Sabacinski and senior Nick Gezotis (Westfield, MA) collected a pair of hits and RBI's each as Sabacinski crossed home on a duo of occasions. Ruggiero ended 2-for-4 with a trio of runs scored to round out the multi-hitters for the visitors.

Senior Cody Bamforth (Vernon, CT) recorded a pair of singles as the only multi-hit standout for the Falcons in game one as they were outhit, 12-8.

Second-year Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA) picked up the win improving his record to 3-0 on the season. Osburn hurled all seven innings scattering eight hits while issuing two walks and fanning three on the bump for Worcester State. Osburn is now third in the MASCAC with a sparkling 1.53 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. 

Senior Dylan Smith (New London, CT) absorbed the set-back for Fitchburg State. Smith (2-2) went the first four frames giving up eight runs (six earned) on nine hits with two free passes.

WSU once again grabbed a first inning run in game two as sophomore Rob MacDonald (Waltham, MA) hit an RBI double to center for the 1-0 edge.

FSU answered in the bottom half of the third as junior David Mason (Leominster, MA) recorded a run producing infield single knotting the score at 1-1.

Worcester State jumped back out in front in the top of the sixth when Osburn singled through the right side driving home George who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.

Fitchburg State wasted little time tilting the score in their favor in the bottom half of the frame, plating a pair of runs for the 3-2 advantage.

Mason crossed home with the equalizer on a single by sophomore Pierce Hans (Washington Township, NJ), who then scored the go ahead run on a single to left field by senior Jeff Boice (Glastonbury, CT) two batters later.

The Lancers got the lead back in the top half of the seventh on run producing singles by Sabacinski and George for the 4-3 score.

The Falcons continued the sea-saw battle and came right back to tie the contest at 4-4 in their last at bat sending the game into extra innings. Junior Joseph Balboni (Townsend, MA) singled up the middle to plate first-year Roel Fernandez (Cape Coral, FL) with the game-tying run with two man down.

Fitchburg State ended the game in the 10th inning when junior Matt Zajac (New Hartford, CT) opened the frame with an infield single and was sacrificed into scoring position by Hans. Senior AJ Silberman (Meriden, CT) then singled up the middle and Zajac raced home for the 5-4 final.

Senior Zachary Bombria (Bolton, CT) hurled the final four frames to pick up the victory for Fitchburg State. Bombria (3-2) allowed just two hits while fanning three after replacing classmate Pat Mercier (Townsend, MA) who tossed the first six innings allowing four runs on 10 hits with a pair of walks and three punch outs in the no-decision.

Second-year Jared Kuzio (Franklin, MA) absorbed the loss after allowing one run on two hits in just 0.1 innings of work. Kuzio (1-3) came on after MacDonald and classmate Ben Libuda (Auburn, MA) combined for the first nine innings on the mound.

Libuda pitched 6 1/3 innings surrendering four runs (three earned) on eight hits with four free passes and a trio of strikeouts. MacDonald was solid in relief even though he was tagged with a blown save. He hurled 2 2/3 innings of two-hit ball without allowing a run as he walked one and struck out a pair.

George and Wallace each collected a trio of hits and a run scored while MacDonald and Sabacinski had a pair of hits apiece to lead the way for WSU. George has been on a tear at the plate as he currently leads the MASCAC with a .417 clip on the season.

Hans, Mason, Boice, and third-year Alex Heroux (Leominster, MA) all recorded two hits to pace the Falcon offense as both squads recorded 12 hits in the nightcap.

Worcester State returns home for a non-conference match-up with Newbury College tomorrow at 4 PM as Fitchburg State travels to Daniel Webster Wednesday for a 3:30 PM first pitch.

Story by John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant