Lancers Take the Split With Rhode Island in Non-Conference Battle

Worcester, MA- The Lancers softball team (10-11, 1-5) takes a step away from conference play this Thursday to journey down to Rhode Island College for a makeup meeting with the Anchormen. The game would also be a reunion of sorts for Worcester as their former assistant coach turned RIC Head Coach partnered with star Pitcher Emily Bartlett '24 to help guide RIC this season. The team will look for the win alongside a good dose of good time softball in today's break from a gruelling conference schedule. 

Final

Game 1

Worcester State: 5

RIC: 11

How it Happened:

The matchup between Worcester State and Rhode Island College started off with both teams eager to get on the board. The first inning for Worcester had junior Emma Lapoint (Westfield, MA) and senior Emma Lanpher (Charlton, MA) make it all the way round the bases to put up two runs in the first. The Anchorwomen would respond in the bottom of the first by putting up six of their own to get the action started with a bang. 

The Second and third innings were heavily defense focused as both teams were able to gather the three outs without providing further ammo to their opposition. The fourth inning kept the score the same for the Lancers while the Anchorwomen would capitalize on the inning with three runs scored in the bottom of the fourth off of three hits. Sophomore Cali Brouillard (Millbury, MA) would stop the bleeding for the Lancers as she ran to catch a ball popped up to right center field. 

The top of the fifth found Worcester reclaiming a run as a junior Morgan Keefe (Dracut, MA) double and a junior Bella Gasbarro (Leominster, MA) single would combine for run number three. Worcester would record two more at the top of the sixth in two outs as Lanpher singed down the left field line to bring in first year Laurel Field (Holden, MA) followed up by a Lapoint single to bring in Lanpher.

Rhode Island would look to reclaim the differential at the bottom of the inning getting two at the corners early and some tactile base running would eventually see the Anchorwomen up 11-5 which would hold through the top of the seventh as a dropped strike three and out on the Lancers would see game one conclude 11-5.

Game 2

Worcester State: 3

RIC: 2

How it Happened:

The second game of the day was unlike the first as scoring was held to just one run. The Anchorwomen would tally the first on the scoreboard as they produced two hits. The Lancers would find a run in the third as Lapoint doubled to send across Lanpher to tie the game. Rhode Island would reclaim the lead in the fourth at a 2-1 lead.

The top of the seventh would finally see the Lancers claim the lead off an error from centerfield for Lapoint to cross and a Gasbarro single would send Keefe in for a 3-2 score which would hold for the game two victory for the Lancers.

What's Next:

Worcester State (11-12, 1-5) is back at home for their first conference home game this Saturday in double header action with Bridgewater State. First pitch for game one is set for 12pm.