Rich Hurls Softball To 3-0 and 2-0 Sweep Of Salem State

Worcester, MA --- Senior Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) tossed a pair of complete-game shutouts to help pace Worcester State to a pair of 3-0 and 2-0 victories this afternoon in MASCAC softball action at Rockwood Park.

With the wins, Worcester State improves to 18-8 (8-2 MASCAC) while the Vikings fall to 16-14 and even out to 5-5 in conference play. The Lancers are now tied with MCLA for the top spot in the league standings with four left to play.

Rich fired a three-hitter in the opener as she permitted singles in the third, sixth and seventh frames as no one reached third base. She fanned five, hit two batters and issued one free pass on 89 pitches (56 strikes).

Freshman Samantha Rivers (Leicester, MA) snapped a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out RBI double to bring in sophomore Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, MA).  

The Lancers tacked on some insurance in the bottom of the fifth for the 3-0 edge.

Taking advantage of a miscue in the infield that kept the frame alive, junior Sara Pelletier (Leominster, MA) drove in a run with a single to centerfield before she came around to score a run scoring double by classmate Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA).

Freshman Rachel Cyr (Amesbury, MA) absorbed the loss for the Vikings. Cyr (3-4) permitted three runs (two earned) on six hits to go with one walk and no strikeouts.  

Terry was the lone multi-hitter for the Blue and Gold who doubled up their opponents in hits, 6-3.

It was a similar story for Rich who spun a five-hitter in the nightcap. Rich (12-1) rung up three on strikes and needed just 71 pitches (50 strikes) to complete her sixth shutout of the campaign.

Terry also sparked the Lancers in the second game as she helped give the hosts the 2-0 advantage over the first three frames of play.

In the bottom of the first, Salisbury reached on a dropped out by the first baseman to start off the game before she moved to second on a sacrifice and third on a solo knock by Pelletier. Terry put WSU on top by one run with a deep fly ball to right, to push Salisbury across the plate.

With two outs in the third, Terry tacked on the other score with a deep double that reached the fence in right centerfield.

Pelletier went 3-for-3 to lead the hosts, with a run scored in the third, while SSU sophomore Bobbie Dee Regan (Lynn, MA) had two singles. Base-knocks were even at five apiece.

Freshman Meghan Black (Winchendon, MA) absorbed the loss for the Vikings. Black (4-5) permitted two runs (one earned) on five hits and she recorded two punch outs.

Both squads will play again this Thursday on the road for a pair of key 2 PM MASCAC affairs. Worcester State heads to Westfield State while Salem State takes the trek to MCLA.

In a brief postgame ceremony, the three seniors - Storro, Hanley and Alyssa Hill (Irving, MA) - were honored on "Senior Day."