Softball Splits Twinbill With Western Connecticut

Worcester, MA --- Western Connecticut and Worcester State split a doubleheader this evening in non-conference softball action. Behind two homers and six RBIs from senior Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA), the Lancers earned the 8-5 victory in the first game before the Colonials won the second game, 11-2, in six innings.

With the win and the loss the Blue and Gold are now 10-8 on the season while WSCU is 11-3 overall.

In the first game, Mahoney helped Worcester State draw first blood in the bottom of the first with a two-run blast to left center for the quick 2-0 advantage.

The Lancers added to their lead with two more in the fourth on a two-run single by junior Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA).

Down 4-0, Western Connecticut cut the lead in half with a pair of unearned runs.

Senior Meghan Mammon (Stamford, CT) reached on an error in the infield and then sophomore pinch runner Corinna Hussey (Naugatuck, CT) swiped second. First-year Jessica Caturano (Holbrook, NY) followed with a single in the infield before junior Jackie Zilnicki (Riverhead, NY) squeezed Hussey home and moved Caturano to second with a bunt.

Caturano would later score on a wild throw back into the infield from a single to left by third-year Danielle Basciano (Holmes, NY).

The Lancers would promptly respond by loading the bases on a single, a hit batter and then sophomore Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA) reached on a misplayed ball in the infield. That would set the stage for Mahoney to go the other way with a grand-slam to right center.

The Colonials would rally in the sixth with a run on an error in the infield and a two-run homer to left center in the seventh by senior Anna Levesque (Waterford, CT), but it would not be enough as the game would end with a Mammon pop-up.

Mahoney (5-2) earned the win in the circle for the Lancers as she went the distance allowing five runs (two earned) on ten hits. Mahoney struck out five and walked two.

Junior Magen Dargon (Trumbull, CT) who game into the game leading the Little East with a 0.49 earned run average, was tagged for five runs on five hits with one walk and three punch-outs in four-plus innings of work. Dargon was relieved by senior Brittany Connors (Waterford, CT) who went the last two frames allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. Connors fanned three.

In the first game, Mahoney and junior Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) both tallied two hits apiece while Levesque went 3-for-4 for the visitors. Basciano also notched two hits in the setback for WSCU. The Colonials actually outhit the Lancers, 10-9.

In the nightcap, Western Connecticut rapped out 13 hits. Zilnicki and senior Luigina Facchini (Norwich, CT) both paced the effort with three hits as Facchini and Basciano each drove in a trio of runs. Bascinio and sophomore Alison Russo (Danbury, CT) each had two base-knocks.

Junior Jaime Jacobs (Billerica, MA) had two of the Lancers four hits in the contest.

WSCU opened the first inning with the 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by senior Amy Hartman (Ellington, CT).

The Blue and Gold answered the call by knotting the game in the bottom of the second. Mahoney started off the inning with a walk. After she moved to second on a ground-out, she advanced to third on an infield single by Jacobs, but scored on the play as the throw from the shortstop went into the right field.

The Colonials would then score six times in the top of the fourth as they were highlighted by a two-run single by Basciano and a two-run homer by Facchini. Western Connecticut was aided in the inning on a muffed play in the infield and a misplayed ball in the outfield.

The Lancers would get a one back in the fifth on an RBI triple by Pease to make the score 7-2, but the visitors would score four times in the top of the sixth as Basciano, Facchini, Hartman and Russo all plated runs to put the pressure on the hosts.

Freshman Stephanie Moss (Brookfield, CT) would toss a scoreless seventh – with two of her four strikeouts in the inning – to help Western Connecticut earn the split in six innings. Moss (4-0) yielded two runs (one earned) on four hits while she issued four free passes.

Sophomore Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) shouldered the setback as she allowed seven runs (one earned) in four frames of work. Everson struck out two and walked one. Everson was lifted for junior Marcy Rumrill (Orange, MA) who allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in the final two innings.

Both teams will entertain conference opponents on Saturday in doubleheaders. Worcester State will entertain Salem State at 1 o'clock while Western Connecticut will host Keene State at noon