Lancers Fall in Slug Off to Bison

Worcester, MA- After splitting the day Saturday with Mass. Maritime, the Worcester State Baseball team (12-12, 10-4) stepped out of conference for game action today as they faced off against the Nichols College Bison in a single game meeting.

Final

Worcester State: 8

Nichols: 9

How it Happened:

The first inning started with the Bison getting a homerun on the first at-bat of the game followed by a two run shot later on in the inning. The bottom of the saw junior outfielder Alan Carpenter (Richmond, RI) get an rbi single to get the scoring started for the Lancers in the first. That was followed up by senior infielder Nathan Thurber (Framingham, MA) doubling into left field that would send across two players, tying the game up. Jjunior outfielder Tad Giardina (Reading, MA) would also get an rbi to give the Lancers their first lead of the game.

The second inning saw junior infielder Ryan Jewett (Natick, MA) nail a single towards the pitcher and would advance to second base after a sac bunt from junior outfielder Derek De La Cruz (Providence, RI), which would place him into scoring position. Jewett would end up scoring due to a wild pitch extending the lead to 2 runs in the bottom of the second

There would be no runs scored in the third and fourth innings but Nichols would get a run added in the top of the fifth tying the game up once again. In the bottom of the fifth, junior infielder Tyler Normandie (Lowell, MA) would hit a single to the shortstop as sophomore catcher Riggs Catlin (Dedham, MA) would make contact via a sac bunt advancing Normandie to second base. Senior outfielder Mason Bates (Shrewsbury, MA) would then hit a sac fly to the outfielder to advance Normandie to third. Thurber would then get a single to right center field. That hit would result in Normandie and Carpenter running into home plate giving the Lancers a three run lead going into the sixth.

The Bison would get four runs in the sixth inning, with the Lancers unable to catch them, giving them the lead going into the seventh inning. That would be followed up by another run scored by Nichols in the seventh inning giving them a two run lead after seven frames.

In the eighth inning first-year infielder Boris Valdez (Worcester, MA) would pinch hit and clock a double for his first hit of the game. Valdez would advance to third after a single from Jewett later with a De La Cruz single to right field that would allow Valdez to get home. Nichols would secure the needed outs though to end the inning without further damage.

In the ninth inning, Carpenter was able to hit a single to left field, followed up by a bunt from Bates still with no outs on the board. The next at-bat for Thurber would result in a walk. As a result the bases would be loaded with no outs on the board. A strong pitching and defensive presence from the Bison would prevent the Lancers from extending the game as they fell 9-8 to the Bison. 

What's Next:

Worcester State (12-13, 10-4) is right back in action tomorrow at home when they close out their series with Fitchburg State at 3pm.