Leominster Champion: "Leominster Athletes Collect All-MASCAC Accolades"
Worcester, MA --- Worcester State College senior teammates TJ Magnell and Ryan LaPrade have been selected to the second team of this year’s All-MASCAC Baseball team while sophomore Erica Cordio was named to the second team of the All-MASCAC softball squad.
Worcester, MA --- Worcester State College senior teammates TJ Magnell and Ryan LaPrade have been selected to the second team of this year’s All-MASCAC Baseball team while sophomore Erica Cordio was named to the second team of the All-MASCAC softball squad.
LaPrade, a four-year starter at second base, has been distinguished with his only career all-conference honor. LaPrade batted .299 during the regular season with nine doubles, three triples, a homer, 17 RBIs and 28 runs scored. LaPrade led the MASCAC in steals as he was 21-for- 23 in the category. With 72 swiped bases he is only 13 away from the all-time mark set by Tim Leonard (1998-01) and with 101 singles, he has tied Jason Akana’s (1994-96) mark which is sixth in the record book. LaPrade shattered the school record in steals as he ran away with 33 bases in 2009.
Magnell, a transfer last season from Bryant, ends his two-year career at Worcester State with an all-league honor as a shortstop. Magnell filled the void at the leadoff spot that was left by last year’s MASCAC Player of the Year and All American Matt Hart as he batted .359 with eight doubles, four homers, 32 RBIs and 42 runs scored. Magnell ranked in virtually every category in the MASCAC as he was tied for first in hits (51) and runs scored while he was third in steals (12), fifth in walks (20), sixth in total bases (73) and eighth in RBI’s. Magnell also swatted .320 in MASCAC play with 11 runs scored.
Magnell and LaPrade teamed up for a unit that helped to turn 33 double plays this season. LaPrade led all starting second basemen in the MASCAC in fielding percentage (.968) while Magnell was third among active conference shortstops (.929). With 115 assists this season, Magnell broke the school record set by LaPrade (112) last season.
Cordio, a shortstop, transferred last season from the University of Rhode Island. Cordio, who has propelled the squad as the softball team’s leadoff hitter, is batting .436 with three homers, three triples, 12 doubles, 27 RBIs and 30 runs scored. Cordio has also slugged .672 with an on base percentage of .500.
Cordio leads the MASCAC total bases (87) and slugging while her batting average, on base percentage, hits (56) and doubles are second.
Cordio has also been influential in helping the Worcester State lead the MASCAC in fielding percentage as they went from fifth last season (.936) to second (.956). The Lancers are 65th in Division III as a team 9th in New England.
Cordio has also been influential in helping the Worcester State lead the MASCAC in fielding percentage as they went from fifth last season (.936) to second (.956). The Lancers are 65th in Division III as a team 9th in New England.
Worcester State Baseball team captured their fourth MASCAC Tournament championship with a 3-2 triumph over Westfield State on Monday and they will make their fifth appearance in the doubleelimination NCAA Tournament. The Lancers have earned the fifth seed in the New England Regional and will play #4 Eastern Connecticut in the opening round on Wednesday at 10 AM.
The softball team made their sixth appearance in the ECAC New England Softball tournament this past weekend and they were bounced on Saturday by Bridgewater State in the semifinals.