Lancers and Trailblazers Trade Wins As WSC Goes to 4-4 In MASCAC

Worcester State 2, MCLA 0

MCLA 2, Worcester State 1

Game 1 --- Box Score

Game 2 --- Box Score  

Worcester, MA --- Worcester State drew a split with MCLA in MASAC softball action this afternoon at Rockwood Park. Sophomore Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA) hurled a one-hit gem in a 2-0 victory in game one before the Trailblazers edged out the Lancers, 2-1, in the nightcap.

The teams walk away with WSC moving to 8-17-1 and 4-4 in conference play while MCLA goes to 9-15 and 3-5 in the MASCAC.

Mahoney and freshman starter Hadley Ameen (North Adams, MA) matched each other through the first four innings in the opening game as each allowed just one hit during that stretch.

The Lancers finally got to Ameen in the fifth as freshman Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA-RF) hit a run producing single in the infield with two outs. 

In the sixth, WSC added an insurance run on an RBI single by Mahoney. Mahoney was the opening contest's only multi-hitter as she went 2-for-3.

After Mahoney gave up a walk in the top of the third, she was brilliant the rest of the way as the retired the last 14 batters, with four coming by way of strikeout. Mahoney finished game one fanning eight batters overall in six innings.

Ameen (4-10) gave up two runs off six hits to go along with five punch outs while she did not walk a batter in her seven innings of work.

In the nightcap, the second contest started much the way the first did as junior starter Jennifer McMurray (Margaretville, NY) each tossed three scoreless innings. The Lancers threatened to score the game's first run in the bottom of the second with runners at first and second, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity.

In the top of the fourth, MCLA took advantage of an error in the outfield as they took their first lead of the evening. Freshman Katelyn Dano (Schoharie, NY-SS) led off the inning with a single and then scored when classmate Kayla Koumajian (Watervliet, NY-3B) hit a fly ball that the right fielder misplayed as Koumajian moved to third on the error. She was then driven in by first-year Amber Coburn (Colrain, MA-CF).

After allowing the two unearned runs to score, Mahoney settled down and set down 11 of the last 12 batters, which included four punch outs.

Worcester State cut the lead in half in the bottom of the sixth when junior Maura Crossman (Colrain, MA-3B) plated Bezzozi. Bezzozi led off the inning with an infield single and then moved into scoring position on a sac bunt.

WSC had a golden chance in the bottom of the seventh to knot the game up with runners on second and third with one out, but McMurray enduced a force out at home plate and a ground out to end the game.

Coburn and sophomore Katelyn Ouellette (Norwood, MA-DP) each contributed a pair of hits for the visitors while no Lancers had more than one base hit.

McMurray improved to 4-4 as she allowed just one run while yielding five hits. McMurray also walked one and fanned two after completing seven innings of work. Mahoney (8-7) struck out 10 in seven innings.

Both teams will continue conference play with MASCAC twin bills. Worcester State will travel to Framingham State for a 1 PM doubleheader while MCLA hosts