Lancers Slug Their Way to Season Opening Win, 25-11

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The Worcester State University baseball team pounded out 24 hits and scored runs in seven different innings on their way to a 25-11 victory over Dean College in the season opener for both teams at the New England Baseball Complex (NEBC) Wednesday afternoon.  

Worcester State (1-0) will play Nichols at the NEBC on Friday with a first pitch at 11 a.m. Dean (0-1) will begin their spring break trip in Cary, N.C. on Sunday with a doubleheader against William Peace at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. 

Freshman Anthony Iamarone (Providence, R.I.) scored five runs and knocked in a pair with a 4-for-5 effort at the plate in his collegiate debut. Thomas DiBattista (Hudson, Mass.) knocked in a game-high five runs for the Lancers. Sophomore Tom Halliwell (Leominster, Mass.) went 4-for-6 with 3 RBI and 3 runs.

In a pitcher by committee game for both teams, senior Joey Zawisza (Newington, Conn.) was credited with the win after 2 IP, 3 K, 2 ER. Senior Griffin Connelly (Easton, Pa.) took the loss for Dean after 3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER.

After a scoreless top of the first, Dean senior Josh Cerretani (Peabody, Mass.) led off the season for the Bulldogs with a blast over the right field fence.

The Lancers responded in the top of the second with five runs, three unearned, before Dean added another run in the bottom half to make the score 5-2 after two in favor of Worcester State.

Worcester State scored single runs in the fourth and fifth, but Dean cut into the deficit with three in the bottom half of the fifth thanks to a two-run homer by senior Ryan Gallagher (Methuen, Mass.).

In the top of the sixth, the Lancers plated seven thanks to three doubles and a triple. DiBattista knocked in a pair with a triple. In the bottom of the frame, Dean fought back with five runs on six hits.

Worcester State added four runs in the seventh. Mike Chaves Jr. (Hudson, Mass.) hit a 3-run homer to left to give the Lancers an 18-10 lead.

The visitors put the game out of reach with six more in the eighth. 

Dean scored once in the bottom of the eighth and Worcester State added run in the top of the ninth to make the final 25-11 in favor of the Lancers.

Cerretani finished the game 4-for-4 to lead the Bulldogs. Gallagher went 2-for-5 with 3 RBI and 2 R.

The Lancers ran wild on the base paths, stealing eight bases, including three by Iamarone and two by Halliwell.