Baker Hits Career Milestone, Bolio Homers Baseball's In Sweep Of Fitchburg State

Fitchburg, MA --- Senior Jared Kuzio (Franklin, MA) fired his first collegiate shutout in a 1-0 victory and senior Jeff Bolio (Oxford, MA) went 3-for-3 with a homer and a trio of RBI in an 8-2 triumph to help pace Worcester State to a sweep over Fitchburg State in MASCAC baseball action this afternoon at Elliot Field.

In the opener, the Lancers (15-10, 5-1 MASCAC) helped head coach Dr. Dirk Baker earn his 450th career victory while the Falcons fall to 10-10 (3-5 MASCAC) in the setback.

Kuzio (3-1) scattered five hits in the opener, going the distance for the second time this season. Kuzio did not strikeout or walk a batter.

Midway through the game, the Lancers had the potential go-ahead score 90 feet from home plate following a misplayed fielder's choice play by the second baseman, that put junior Dennis Duplessis (Marlboro, MA) on third base. 

Even with the insurance run on second when senior Zach George (Attleboro, MA) swiped second for his team-best 14th steal of the campaign, sophomore Kyle Cutler (Clinton, MA) responded by boring down on his next two batters and he fanned them both swinging to get out of the jam.

Fitchburg State had a major threat in the bottom of the sixth after Kuzio retired the first batter on a pop-up. Senior Pierre Hans (Washington Township, NJ) tripled to right field to start a rally for the Falcons, but Kuzio regained his focus and he set down the next two in order to give WSU the momentum heading into the seventh.

George continued his torrid streak at the plate as he connected on a two-out, RBI triple to the deep part of centerfield to bring in sophomore Brian Bonacquisti (Pittsfield, MA), breaking the stalemate and gave the Lancers the 1-0 advantage. Bonacquisti worked walk to start off the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Kuzio permitted an infield single to junior Brendan Cutler (Clinton, MA), which started off the frame start off the frame, but the FSU offense stalled by grounding out into consecutive plays to the shortstop to end the contest.

Kyle Cutler suffered his first setback of the campaign in the loss as he fell to 4-1. Cutler surrendered one earned run, four hits surrendered one earned run, four hits, three walks and he recorded eight strikeouts in his seven frames of work.

Hans and Brendan Cutler were the lone multi-hitters in the game with two hits apiece.

In the nightcap, the Lancers pounded out 11 base-knocks as George and Ruggiero both finished with two hits apiece. Bolio was a triple shy of the cycle with his performance at the plate.

Sophomore Adam Barry (Auburn, MA/Holy Name) helped put Worcester State up 1-0 in the top of the first when he connected on a deep fly ball to score George from third.

Worcester State took over a five-run margin as the frame was highlighted by two-run double by Bolio and run producing at-bats by Barry and Duplessis.

Bolio gave the Blue and Gold a commanding 6-0 lead when he blasted his second home run of the season for the sixth of his career, with three dingers coming against the Falcons.

Fitchburg State sliced into deficit with two runs in the bottom of the fifth which narrowed the gap to 6-2.

Junior Derrick Fraizer (Beverly, MA) helped manufacture a run on a botched play by the third baseman and sophomore Steve McFadden (Merrimack, NH) followed by plating senior Clayton Beaulieu (Chicopee, MA).

The Lancers put the game away in the top of the sixth for the final score on a two RBI single to left by senior Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA).

Senior Joe Perlak (Chicopee, MA) was solid on the hill for the visitors as he allowed two earned runs in a two-hitter. Perlak (4-1) also yielded three walks and he rung up two on strikes.

Sophomore Tyler Smith (New Milford, CT) was tagged with the loss. Smith (1-2) gave up five earned runs on six hits while he also hit one batter and gave up one free pass.

In upcoming action, both squads will host non-conference squads tomorrow at 3:30. The Lancers take on Fisher in a make-up from last Wednesday while Fitchburg State entertains Rhode Island College.