Salve Regina Downs Worcester State 13-4

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina University Baseball team used 17 hits to secure a 13-4 victory over Worcester State in non-conference action at Reynolds Field Thursday afternoon. This was the 15th meeting between Salve Regina and Worcester St. The Seahawks now own an 8-7 advantage in the all-time series.

The Lancers jumped on top 2-0 in the top of the first inning, but the Seahawks responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame to lead 3-2. They added one more run in the second to lead 4-2. After a scoreless top of the third from pitcher Tommy Seaver (Rocky Hill, Conn.) the Seahawks bats went to work.

After Lancers starting pitcher George Bielizna (Danbury, Conn.) hit two batters John Kussmaul (Brick, N.J.) hit an RBI single. Kussmaul then stole second, allowing Santili to score on the attempt to catch Santili. Hunter Sleeper (Arlington, Mass.) singled to put runners at the corners the John Militano (Miller PLace, N.Y.) hit a sac-fly to center scoring Kussmaul. Ryan Kelly stepped to the plate and hit a triple, scoring Sleeper from first. The Lancers got a groundout and a pop-up to end the inning but the damage was done and the Seahawks led 8-2.

Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.) scored the first run of the game for the Lancers on a wild pitch. Mike Powers (Weymouth, Mass.) scored two plays later on a single from Brian Bonacquisti (Pittsfield, Mass.) for the 2-0 lead in the top of the first.

The Lancers only extra-base hit provided the other two runs. Ryan doubled with one out and runners at second and third. Matt Lavin (Worcester, Mass.) and Matt Sabourin (Stow, Mass.) scored to make it 8-4 but the Lancers would not score another run the rest of the afternoon.

Matt Wood (Walpole, N.H.) picks up the win for the Seahawks. Pitching a shutout fifth inning, not allowing a hit, and striking out one to improve his season record to 2-1. The Seahawks used ten different pitchers. They combined to only allow four runs, on 11 hits while striking out nine, and stranding nine more Lancers on the bases.

Bielizna, who ended the game playing first base, takes the loss for the Lancers and also suffers his first loss of the season, now 0-1.

Worcester State's next game will be Friday in a continuance of a game started on April 27 with Fitchburg State. The game was stopped because of darkness so the teams will resume things at the top of the 12th tied 6-6.

Release Courtesy of Salve Regina Athletics