Softball Sweeps Nichols, 3-1 and 14-1

Worcester, MA --- Worcester State defeated Nichols twice, 3-1 and 14-1 in five innings, in non-conference softball action this evening at Rockwood Park. Junior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) hurled seven solid innings in the opener while freshman Kaitlyn Storro (Leominster, MA) went 3-for-3 with four RBIs in the nightcap.

 In the first game, the Bison (9-15) snapped a scoreless contest in the top of the third on an RBI single by senior Savannah Thibault (Marlboro, MA), who plated first-year Avery Orszulak (Springfield, MA). Orszulak reached on a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and then got to third on a sacrifice.

The Lancers (9-13) evened the score 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth when senior Jaime Jacobs (Billerica, MA) plated Everson.

WSU took the lead for good in the following frame with two runs in the fifth. Storro led off with a single and swiped second before fourth-year Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) followed by jacking an RBI double to left center.

In the next plate appearance, sophomore Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) laid down a bunt to move Cordio, but she would end up scampering home on an errant throw by the catcher that hit Hassett on her way to first.

Thibault's base-knock proved to be the lone blemish for Everson who set down 12 of her last 13 batters. Everson improved her record to 6-5 as she fanned eight and issued just one free pass.

Fourth-year Molly Ferraro (Millis, MA) shouldered the setback for the Bison. Ferraro allowed three earned runs on seven hits to go with two strikeouts and one walk.

Senior Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA) was the lone multi-hitter of the opening contest with two singles.

In the nightcap, the Lancers offense erupted with six runs in the bottom of the first. Storro highlighted the attack with a two-run single and fourth-year Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA) belted a bases-clearing double out of the nine hole.

After WSU tacked on one more run in the second on an RBI double by Everson for the 8-0 advantage before they put the game out of reach in the bottom of the third with another two-run safety by Storro and plated runs by Cordio, Lamoureux and Howe.

Nichols broke up sophomore Kelly Winter's (Attleboro, MA) shutout bid in the top of the fourth on the first collegiate homer by senior Kylie Langston (Medford, MA). Winter (2-6) would yield one run on two hits to go with a walk and two punch outs.

Freshman Katie Roy (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) finished off the game with a scoreless fifth for the Lancers.

First-year Taylor Ferrazzi (Ashland, MA) was tagged with the setback for Nichols. Ferrazzi (1-6) only went the first inning allowing six earned runs on four hits.

Lamoureux would finish 3-for-4 with three runs scored while Cordio, Besozzi and Everson were all 2-for-3 with six RBIs between them. Cordio had a triple down the right field line in the fourth and made a spectacular diving stop on a ground out at short to end the top of the third.

WSU pounded away 15 base-knocks in the second game – 11 of which were singles. The Lancers are now 4-0 at Rockwood Park this season.

Both squads continue their respective conference schedules on Saturday at 12 PM. Worcester State heads west to North Adams for a MASCAC twinbill against MCLA while the Bison host Curry in a Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader.