Softball Sweeps Framingham State, 4-3 and 8-1

Worcester, MA --- Worcester State ran their winning-streak to six games with a pair of 4-3 and 8-1 victories over Framingham State in MASCAC softball action this afternoon at Rockwood Park. Junior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) fanned six in the complete-game effort in the opener before senior Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs in the nightcap.

The Lancers even out their record at 13-13 and improve to 6-2 in the league standings.  The Rams slip to 11-17 overall and fall to 2-6 in the MASCAC. 

Framingham State snapped a scoreless game in the fourth inning of the first contest when freshman Tiffany Agostini (Rehoboth, MA) hit an RBI single to centerfield plating third year Taylor Ezold (Westfield, MA).

WSU responded in the bottom of the fourth by putting up three runs on the board to take the lead for good.  Freshman Kaitlyn Storro (Leominster, MA) led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a single by senior Jaime Jacobs (Billerica, MA). 

After Jacobs stole second putting two runners in scoring position, Storro and Jacobs scored the first two runs on a passed ball and wild pitch, respectively.  Third-year Melissa Beaudry (Worcester, MA/St. Peter Marian) then crossed home for WSU's third run on a fielding error in the infield.

The Lancers pushed their lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth on a key insurance run as Lamoureux drove in Cordio on a single through the right side. 

Following consecutive base-knocks, sophomore Molly McKinnon (Framingham, MA) plated senior Alyssa Shea (Lakeville, MA) on a fielders choice RBI and McKinnon came around to score on a run producing double by senior Alysia Morrissette (Ware, MA) to trail by just one run.

Rams starting pitcher Yaya Faria (Acton, MA) preserved the 4-3 deficit by getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth inning by forcing a ground-out. 

In the top of the seventh, Framingham State was unable equal the score with a pair of runners on and two outs. Shea hit a grounder up the middle that hit Everson's leg and ricocheted right to junior third-baseman Alex Kerr (Franklin, MA) who fired to first and end the game. 

Everson (8-5) picked up the win as she went seven strong innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with one walk.

Faria (3-7) was charged with the loss in the as she went six innings and allowed four hits, four runs (one earned), walked four, and retired seven via strikeout. 

Ezold, Shea, and Agostini had six of the Rams seven total hits with two base-knocks apiece. There were no multi-hitters for Worcester State in the first contest.

In the second game, Worcester State was able to grab the 1-0 lead in bottom of the first  when Cordio crossed the plate on a heads-up running play following a dropped ball on a sacrifice bunt at first base.

WSU built upon their advantage in the bottom of the second as freshman Katie Roy (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) led off with a double off the center field fence.  After senior Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA) pushed Roy over on a sacrifice bunt, fourth-year Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA) plated Roy on an RBI-single up the middle. 

Besozzi later scored in the inning on a wild pitch and Cordio scored the final run of the rally on a sacrifice fly by Storro to push the Lancer margin to 4-0. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Cordio hit a sac-fly to left field to score Besozzi – after her triple down the left field line – to make the score 5-0 after four innings. 

The Rams plated their only run of the nightcap in the top of the fifth inning as Shea hit an RBI single to score senior Sherren Doyle (Middleboro, MA) cutting the deficit to 5-1. 

The Lancers were able to tack on three more runs to put the game away bottom of the frame as Lamoureux scored on a RBI single by Jacobs.  Two batters later, Howe drove in Everson and Jacobs on a single up the middle resulting in the final score. 

Roy (2-1) gathered the victory as she pitched four and 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, one earned run, and walked two.  Sophomore Kelly Winter (Attleboro, MA) worked one and 2/3 innings of relied for WSU scattering one hit, walking one, and striking out a pair.  Everson came on in the seventh inning and retired the side in order.

Morrissette (6-8) was saddled with the defeat in the finale as she pitched six innings, gave up 13 hits, allowed eight earned runs, a walk, and struck out two. 

Cordio, Lamoureux, and Besozzi each had a pair of safeties for WSU as the Rams did not have any multi-hitters. 

Howe extended her hitting streak to 11 games while Everson pounded out her eighth consecutive stroke with a single in the fifth.

Both teams will play non-conference games on the road in their next match-ups.  The Lancers will take on Western Connecticut State on Thursday at 5 PM while Framingham State will travel to Roger Williams for a 3:30 PM start.