Softball Opens MASCAC Play With Sweep Of Mass Maritime

Framingham, MA --- Senior Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA) combined for five hits, three runs and five RBIs to help lead Worcester State to a 13-0 and 16-1 split over Mass Maritime in MASCAC softball action this afternoon at the Maple Street Field.

With the wins the Lancers improve to 9-3 (2-0 MASCAC) while the Buccaneers dropped their season opening doubleheader.

In the opener, sophomore Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, RI/West) crossed home plate in the first for the early 1-0 edge when she scored on an errant throw across the diamond on a ground out by the first baseman.

WSU tacked on two more runs in the bottom on the second following plated runs by Hanley and junior Jillian Witkowski (Leicester, MA).

The Lancers broke the game open with seven scores in the third highlighted by inside-the-park solo home run by sophomore Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, MA). Witkowski, Hanley and senior Alyssa Hill (Erving, MA) all had run producing plate appearances in the frame.

Salisbury notched her third base-knock of the contest in the fourth with a two-run single as sophomore Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, CT) touched home plate on a dropped fly ball by the left fielder earlier in the stanza.

Junior Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) tossed a one-hitter to go with nine punch outs in the victory. Rich (4-0) had a perfect game with one out in the fifth until MMA freshman Kaylene Murphy (Randolph, MA) rapped out a clean single to left field.

Junior Sara Pelletier (Leominster, MA) and Hanley each finished registering two base-knocks each. Pelletier, Humphrey, Hanley and Witkowski all crossed home plate twice.

In the nightcap, Worcester State took over the early 3-0 margin on a two-run double by Hanley and Salisbury scampered to the plate on a wild pitch.

The Lancers extended their advantage to eight in the bottom of the second on another on a two RBI double by junior Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) and a run scoring single by Hanley.

WSU scored seven more times in the third as the frame was underscored by a misplayed single that was misplayed by the left fielder for a four base miscue with the bases loaded. Senior Katie Storro (Leominster, MA), Couto and Terry also had RBIs in the inning.

The final score crossed the plate in the fourth as freshman Samantha Rivers (Leicester, MA) helped the hosts take advantage of an infield error by the shortstop.

Junior Marissa Avanzato (Pittsfield, MA) made a trio of trips to home plate after reaching three times on walks while Couto also scored three times. Hanley was 3-for-3 as Terry chipped in with a pair of hits.

Sophomore Mary McKeown (Shrewsbury, MA) tossed three frames to pick up her first win of the season. McKeown allowed an earned run in the third to go with two hits, one walk and a pair of strikeouts.

Freshman Julie Melanson (Gardner, MA) hurled two hitless innings to end the second game.