Lancers Fall in Extra Inning Battle to Rams

Worcester, MA- After a decisive victory yesterday over Fitchburg State, the Worcester State Softball team (26-14,11-3) headed to Framingham State (20-17,11-3) to open up the double elimination MASCAC Quarterfinals. 

Final- 13 Innings

Framingham State: 11

Worcester State: 10

How it Happened:

Starting on the mound for Worcester would see the return of senior pitcher Emily Bartlett (Lowell, MA) who pitched for the complete game victory just yesterday. The Rams capitalized on their extra rest, tacking on three runs off a three run homer, in the first inning to put the initial pressure on but Worcester was quick to settle down and grab the needed outs.

The Lancers would return one run in the top of third after sophomore Emma Lanpher (Charlton, MA) singled and was driven home off a partner single from Bartlett. Framingham would put some pressure on in the bottom of the inning but Worcester's defense forced away runs to carry the 3-1 score into the fourth.

A drilling grounder by sophomore Bella Gasbarro (Leominster, MA) would glide past the shortstop into left field to open the action in the fourth and a per placed bunt from junior Morgan Keefe (Dracut, MA) and sophomore Amanda Adamuska (Dudley, MA) would see the bases loaded with no out on the board. First year Cali Brouillard's (Millbury, MA) line drive to second would score Gasbarro but force an out into the inning. A pop out and a ground out would leave the runners on for Worcester with just the single run added to their side.

Worcester would tie the game up in the fifth off a junior Abigail Koziol (Lunenburg, MA) single that dropped past the infield to send sophomore Emma Lapoint (Westfield, MA) racing past the catcher to beat the throw.

The sixth would put Worcester into the lead after Adamuska singled for first and was moved to second on a sac bunt, sophomore Bailey Tammaro (Fitchburg, MA) dropped a single over infield for Lapoint to double them both home to take the 5-3 lead.

The Rams would finally regain their offensive momentum in the sixth with a three run homer just over the right field fence to take the lead back at 6-5. Worcester had just three outs in which to extend the game as they returned to the plate in the seventh to continue their consecutive scoring innings.

Worcester would put the tying run on base with the winning run at the plate after a Gasbarro double two batters into the seventh. Keefe would then drop a double into shallow left center as sophomore Carisa Andrews (Medford, MA), who stepped into run for Gasbarro, took off for third to put two runners on bags. A perfect Adamuska bunt sent the speedster Andrews sliding just past the catcher's glove to tie the game 6-6 and move the game into the seventh. The Rams were unable to get the game ending run, allowing Worcester another go in the eighth to break the tie and go for the win. 

Worcester made contact three times with the ball at the top of the inning but each contact failed to claim a base. The Rams would put in their best effort to end it but would remain unsuccessful as the game moved to the 9th, where it would be a quick 1, 2, 3 for both teams to move into the 10th inning where a runner starts on second.

A Brouillard double with one out would send across Keefe who started on second to claim a 7-6 lead that they would look to hold in the bottom of the inning. The Rams would not allow that lead to stand long though as an early passed ball put a runner on third for a dropping single to center field to send home to tie the action back up at 7-7 and move the game to 11th.

The top of the 12th would see the Lancers again take the lead as Lanpher connected for a double into deep left field, sending Keefe and Adamuska across. They would add an additional insurance run with a Lapoint single to the opposite field that would send Lanpher across and a 10-7 lead into the bottom of the inning. Similar to the 10th, the Tams answered back with three runs of their own to carry the game to the 13th.

After nearly two complete games for both starting pitchers the Rams were finally able to grab the edge in the bottom of the 13th off an error and claim the 11-10 victory.

Bartlett would end the game with nine strikeouts while Lapoint would claim the RBI win with three.

What's Next:

With the loss Worcester (26-15, 11-3) will head to Westfield State to take on Salem State at 1pm with the winner advancing to the MASCAC Semifinals.