Softball Takes Two From Salem State, 1-0 and 6-1

Worcester, MA --- Worcester State defeated Salem State twice this afternoon in MASCAC softball action. Senior Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA) hurled a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 triumph in the first game and then she blasted a two-run homer to help pace the hosts to a 6-1 victory in the nightcap.

With the sweep the Lancers are now 12-8 overall and 2-2 in league play while the Vikings even out to 12-12 and 1-3 in the eight-team loop.

The Blue and Gold snapped a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth with an unearned run. With sophomore Alex Kerr (Franklin, MA) on third base and two outs in the inning, the catcher dropped a foul fly that let the frame continue. Junior Ashley Howe (Pepperell, MA) then made Salem State pay as she lined a single up the middle for the game's only run.

Mahoney (6-2) dominated the visiting lineup in the opener as she fanned seven and walked one, going the distance. She retired her first nine batters as the Vikings only threatened once, in the top of the fourth.

Senior Taylor Orlando (Danvers, MA) broke up the no-hit bid to start out the fourth with a single through the right side of the infield and moved to second on a steal. With two outs, junior Gabbie Vitale (Danvers, MA) hit a base-knock up the middle and then would freshman Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) gun down Orlando at home plate for the final out of the inning.

First-year Lauren DiCredico (Tewksbury, MA) shouldered the setback for the Vikings. DiCredico (4-2) went four 2/3 innings allowing a run on five hits to go along with four strikeouts and one walk.

In the second game, Salem State took the early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Vitale reached on an infield miscue before she swiped second and went to third on an infield single. Senior Jenna Lentine (Methuen, MA) then drove in Vitale to put runners on the corners, but sophomore starter Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) would leave strand them both to end the threat.

Worcester State promptly responded by taking the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second. Mahoney reached on a walk and Everson followed by getting plunked. After a wild pitch put both into scoring position, Hassett drove in Mahoney on a bunt RBI single and then Everson scampered home on the wild throw from the pitcher trying to get out Hassett at the first.

After Salem State left the go-ahead man on in the top of the third, Mahoney blasted her team-leading fourth home run of the season to right center for the 4-1 advantage.

The Blue and Gold tacked on two more runs in the fourth on RBI base-knocks by Howe and sophomore Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA).

Everson would settle down once escaping the third inning as she would set down 12 of the last 14 batters that she would see, the final two reaching by way of base-hit. On 99 pitches in the complete game effort, Everson (4-3) would scatter seven hits, retire five by way of strikeout and walk no one.

SSU junior Katelynn Fanning (E. Boston, MA) and DiCredico worked three innings apiece in the second contest. Fanning (5-7) absorbed the setback as she would allow four runs (three earned) on four hits, walk two and strike out a pair. DiCredico allowed two earned runs on five hits to go along with two punch-outs.

The Lancers were paced by Howe and Hassett, who each notched a pair of base hits while sophomore Sarra Bergeron (Methuen, MA) and junior Michelle Grifoni (Peabody, MA) finished with two hits apiece.

Worcester State will renew their city rivalry with a home doubleheader against WPI starting at 4 PM on Wednesday at Rockwood Park while Salem State travels to Wentham for a single game against Gordon at 4 o'clock on Monday.