Worcester State Opens Season with 8-4 Win over Fisher College

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The Worcester State University Lancers (1-0) took an 8-4 opening day win Tuesday afternoon against Fisher College (0-1) at the New England Baseball Complex (NEBC).

"It was great to be outside today playing baseball on Groundhog Day," commented head coach Dirk Baker. "We hit the ball, and didn't make any errors in the field."

Left fielder, Jake Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.) led the Lancers with two runs and two RBI while going 1-2 (.500) from the plate. Also batting at the .500 mark was designated hitter, Matthew Lavin (Worcester, Mass.) and second baseman, Josh Creamer (Worcester, Mass.).

Fisher College also had three players hit .500 and above, including Adam Lucey (Malden, Mass.), Devin Perry (Newton, Mass.), and Reinaldo Mortea. Perry and Joshua Casado (Lawrence, Mass.) each registered a double against the Worcester State pitching.

Worcester State got up on the board in the 1^st inning when John Boyd (Worcester, Mass.) stole home as the Fisher catcher attempted throwing out Adam Barry (Auburn, Mass.) at second. The inning was ended moments later as two Lancers grounded out, leaving one player left on base.

In the bottom of the 1^st, Fisher College put up three runs to take the lead as Perry doubled to right field for the Falcon's first run. Cody Mercier (Salem, Mass.) then hit a sacrifice fly to give the Falcons a 2-1 advantage. Another single up the middle for Fisher College allotted them the 3-1 lead going into the top of the 2^nd.

Worcester State battled back in the top of the 2^nd, as they scored five runs on five hits and left no runners on base to take the 6-3 lead.

The scoring didn't resume until the top of the 4^th when the Lancers scored another two runs (one unearned) on one hit and one error committed by the Falcons.

The 5^th through mid-8^th innings were controlled by good pitching and defense by both teams, resulting in four scoreless innings.

Though, Fisher College tried to rally the game up in the bottom of the 8^th when Xavier Felix (Boston, Mass.) reached first base on a bunt. Casado then came up to bat and doubled to right center, scoring Felix for another Falcon run. Though, a line drive to second base, and a pop up to the first baseman ended the inning, eventually, resulting in the 8-4 win for the Lancers as no scoring action was logged in the 9^th.

Eight pitchers faced the mound on the afternoon (one per each inning). Matt Irzyk (Westfield, Mass.) struck out three batters his one inning played, while Tyler Barrie (Oxford, Mass.) struck out two.

The Lancers' next competition isn't scheduled until Mar. 5 where they will travel to SUNY-Purchase for a doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m. Following play in New York, they will return to the NEBC for a non-conference matchup against UMass-Dartmouth on Mar. 8 at 3:00 p.m.

"I would like to send a special thanks to our Athletic Director, Michael Mudd, Fisher Coach Scott Dulin, and Mary Beth D'Auteuil at NEBC for making this game happen," stated Baker.