MCLA, Softball Split MASCAC Doubleheader

Worcester, MA --- Worcester State and MCLA drew a split on Saturday afternoon at Rockwood Park.

Behind a sensational effort in the circle by Trailblazer freshman Rachel Quackenbush (Hoosick Falls, NY) the visitors earned the 2-0 triumph in the opener before senior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) and junior Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) helped lead the Lancers to a 7-2 victory in the nightcap.

With the win and the loss, Worcester State is now 8-7 on the season while MCLA moves to 8-12. Both squads are now 2-2 in MASCAC play.

Quackenbush (1-3) impressed by tossing a two-hit shutout as she fanned 10 and walked no one. After allowing base runners in the second, third and an Everson double in the fourth, she set down her final nine batters – five by way of swinging strikeouts.

Everson (2-4) matched the effort while she was touched up for just two earned runs in the top of the third. She went the distance fanning seven, but allowed two earned runs on five hits to go with a pair of walks.

MCLA scored the lone runs of the contest on a two-run double by sophomore Amanda Meczywor (Adams, MA) with the bases loaded to go up 2-0.

Everson settled down after the third and retired 12 of her last 13 batters, yielding a lone base-knock to senior Megan Boyer (Clarksburg, MA) in the seventh.

In the second game, Everson and Hassett both chipped in with two base-knocks each freshman Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) and sophomore Katie Roy (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) pitched effectively for the Blue and Gold.

Worcester State batted around the order with a seven-run bottom of the second. The big hits were by Everson, Rich and sophomore Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA) who all registered two-run singles in a frame that included seven safeties.

But after the fourth, Quackenbush was summoned out of the bullpen and she neutralized the attack by hurling three scoreless frames of two-hit relief.

The Trailblazers broke the shutout in the top of the fourth on run producing at-bats by sophomore Samantha Barbarotta (Pittsfield, MA) and Boyer. With a man on third, Rich ended the threat with a strikeout and an infield pop-up to preserve the game.

Roy helped preserve the final score with three shutout innings for her first career save. Roy gave up two hits in the relief appearance. Rich (4-2) gave up two earned runs, scattered five hits and fanned two.

Senior Ainsley McDonald (Wilder, VT) surrendered seven earned runs on seven hits. McDonald (1-4) struck out one and gave up one base on balls.

Worcester State edged out their counterparts 9-7 in the hits category for a contest that only saw two extra-base hits.

Both squads will hosts NEWMAC opponents in double-headers. Worcester State entertains Clark on Sunday at noon while MCLA plays Springfield on Tuesday at 3:30.