Lancers Edge Rivier University, 3-2

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The Worcester State Lancers edged the Rivier University Raiders 3-2 in Wednesday afternoon's play at the New England Baseball Complex. With the win, the Lancers improve to 6-3 on the season, while the Raiders dip to 0-11.

Worcester State earned their three runs off seven hits and two Rivier errors, while the Raiders scored their two runs on five hits and two errors committed by the Lancers. Worcester State's Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.) and Robbie Fraser (Whitinsville, Mass.) led the Lancers' offensively as Ryan went 3-for-4 with one RBI, and Fraser went 2-for-2 and recorded two runs.

Rivier's Tyler Ferdinand (Middleboro, Mass.) started off the game with a boom as he hit a shot to deep left center to mark his first triple of the season. Though, the Raiders were unable to score as Worcester State's starting pitcher, Zach Zona (Auburn, Mass.) struck out the following batter, and Worcester State's defense closed the inning out leaving Ferdinand on third.

The Raiders were able to put a number up on the scoreboard in the top of the 4^th when Brandon Thibault (Methuen, Mass.) reached base with a walk, and ended up on third from a stolen base and passed ball. Following Thibault's advancement, Jacob Rayner (Billerica, Mass.) scored Thibault at the plate for an RBI.

With the Raiders in the lead, Worcester State tied the game in the bottom of the 5^th when Fraser reached base on a single to right field. Fraser scored on an RBI double from Ryan to tie the game at 1-1 moments later.

The Lancers scored one run on a sacrifice fly from Mike Ferrara (Easton, Mass.) in the bottom of the 6^th to take the lead. They added to their lead in the bottom of the 7^th when Fraser scored for his second run of the game.

With the Lancers up 3-1, the Raiders answered with a run in the top of the 8^th when Taylor Black (W. Springfield, Mass.) doubled to right field to score Thibault at the plate. They had one more chance to come back in the top of the 9^th, though Worcester State's closing pitcher, Matt Irzyk (Westfield, Mass.) projected a 1-2-3 inning, ending the game with the score in the Lancers' favor.

Zona earned his first win of the season, pitching seven innings and only allowing three hits and one earned run. Zona struck out four while on the mound. Irzyk claimed the save, facing eight batters and allowing one run. Nicholas Pica (Hampstead, N.H.) pitched the entire game for the Raiders, only allowing three runs (one unearned) cross the plate.

Worcester State returns to action on Saturday where they will take on cross-town Rivals, WPI, in a non-conference doubleheader. The Raiders will travel to Quincy, Mass. tomorrow where they will seek their first victory of the season against Eastern Nazarene.