Opportunistic Lancers Come Back to Beat Eastern Nazarene, 5-2

WEYMOUTH, Mass.- The Worcester State baseball team took advantage of 10 walks and five errors as the Lancers defeated Eastern Nazarene College 5-2 despite getting just two hits on Wednesday evening at Libby Field.

The Lancers improve to 6-7 overall, while the Lions dip to 11-10 on the season with the setback. 

Worcester State trailed 1-0 after one and 2-0 after three, but scored a run in the fourth and took the lead with two in the fifth, both on bases loaded walks. 

Michael Chaves, Jr. (Hudson, Mass.) and Sean Dutton (Leominster, Mass.) were the recipients of those walks and collected RBIs for their efforts. Chris Wright (Jefferson, Mass.) had an RBI single in the fourth to cut the deficit to a run.

Steven Pesce (Harrison, N.Y.) posted a game-high three base knocks and added a run scored for the Lions. Frank Landeiro (Orlando, Fla.) finished with two hits, two RBIs, and one stolen base. Jaime Roldan (Boston, Mass.) chipped in with one base hit and one run scored on the night.

The home team plated one run in the bottom of the first inning to nab a 1-0 lead. Pesce scampered home on an infield hit off the bat of Landeiro.

Eastern Nazarene chalked up a run in the third to double its advantage to 2-0. Landeiro singled up the middle to drive in Roldan from third base.

The visitors tallied one run in the top of the fourth to pull to within a run, 2-1. Wright flared a single down the first base line to score Grant Hartley (Auburn, Maine) from third.

Worcester State generated two runs in the fifth inning to claim a 3-2 edge. Chaves Jr. and Dutton drew back-to-back bases-loaded walks to knock in Tom Halliwell and Anthony Iamarone.

The Lancers produced a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to stretch the margin to 5-2. Xavier Quezada (Providence, R.I.) crossed the dish as Hartley reached on a fielder's choice. Dutton motored home from third base on a squeeze bunt by Chris Ausiello (Tyngsboro, Mass.).

Kevin Zarnoch (Boston, Mass.) got his first win of the season (1-0) after throwing five innings and allowing just two runs with five strikeouts. Freshman Jarret Morrill (Chelmsford, Mass.) was spectacular in relief to earn his second career save. Morrill threw four shutout innings, striking out five and giving up just two hits and no walks.

For Eastern Nazarene, Briley Seiter (Bellevue, Ky.) pitched four innings and fanned six batters in his sixth start. Jon Tessier (Coronado, Calif.) hurled two innings and finished with three strikeouts in his ninth appearance out of the bullpen. Dale Beneway (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) threw three innings of relief in his sixth outing of the spring.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene heads to Mitchell April 2 to resume conference play. Worcester State begins conference play on Friday afternoon when they host Salem State for a 3:00 PM first pitch.