Baseball Splits with Westfield State; Ferrara Hits 2-Run Walkoff Homerun in Lancer Win

NORTHBORO, Mass. – The Lancers of Worcester State University and the Owls of Westfield State University matched up Friday (Mar. 30) at the New England Baseball Complex (NEBC) for the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener and each team came away with a win for a split.

THE BASICS

March 30, 2018

New England Baseball Complex

Records: Worcester State (4-13, 1-1 MASCAC) | Westfield State (10-9-1, 1-1 MASCAC)

GAME ONE: Westfield State 10, Worcester State 1

Westfield State's offense was highlighted by four home runs - two of which were from Colin Dunn (Westfield, Mass.) who batted 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI on the occasion.

The Owls started the game with back-to-back homers from Kyle Murphy (Westfield, Mass.) and Dunn for a quick 2-0 lead. They doubled their lead in the top of the second inning on and RBI single from Murphy, and a sacrifice fly from Dunn for the 4-0 advantage.

Worcester State reached the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning when Mike Ferrara (Easton, Mass.) hit a sacrifice fly to leftfield, plating Kenan Kolanda (Sterling, Mass.) who had reached base on a walk to start the inning.

Following a scoreless fourth inning, Westfield State tacked on four runs in the top of the fifth on five hits. Anthony Crowley (Bellingham, Mass.), John Lippincott (Barkhamsted, Conn.) batted two runs in on doubles, and then Brett Dooley (Cohasset, Mass.) hit a 2-RBI shot over the centerfield fence for an 8-1 score.

Another home run from Dunn made the score 9-1 in the top of the sixth, and Westfield State concluded the game with another run on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh.

• Dunn led the Owls' offense, going 3-for-3 from the plate with two homers, three runs, and three RBI.
• Aaron Clancy (Quincy, Mass.) batted 3-for-4 while Murphy and Dooley each had two hits (one home run each).
• Westfield State's pitcher, John Gegetskas (Windsor, Conn.) earned his fourth win of the season in a 7-inning performance. He allowed just four Lancer hits and struck out seven batters.
• Worcester State's four hits came from Ben Palatino (Hudson, Mass.), Colin Medeiros (Fall River, Mass.), Jake Breton (Wilbraham, Mass.), and Chadd Richardson (Bristol, Conn/) who had a double.
• Worcester State's starting pitcher, Kyle Sullivan (Hudson, Mass.) took the loss in 4 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed eight runs on 10 hits.
• Ryan Belinksas (Worcester, Mass.), Kyle Gray (Braintree, Mass.), and Eric Vecsey (Worcester, Mass.) appeared on the mound in relief for the Blue and Gold.

GAME TWO: Worcester State 4, Westfield State 3

Worcester State University's Ferrara hit a 2-run walkoff home run in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs on the board for a 4-3 win over Westfield State in the nightcap (VIDEO)

Worcester State's starting pitcher Luke Brennan (Worcester, Mass.) didn't allow the Owls a hit until the top of the fourth inning when Westfield State tallied three runs on a sacrifice fly from Lippincott and a 2-run shot from Dooley.

Worcester State responded on the flip side of the inning with two runs on an RBI single from Ferrara and an RBI double from Patrick Grow (Worcester, Mass.).

The score remained at 3-2 in the Owls' favor until the bottom of the seventh when Worcester State rallied back and Ferrara hit a 2-run walkoff homer for the 4-3 win.

• Ferrara led the Lancers, going 3-for-4 with a game-high three RBI and one run for the win.
• Breton and Grow each registered two hits for the Blue and Gold while Grow recorded the Lancers other RBI.
• Westfield State was held to just two hits throughout the entirety of the game, and both came from Dooley who went 2-for-2 with two RBI and one run.
• Worcester State's Brennan pitched five innings and allowed three runs on two hits, while Bradleigh Saltsman (Ayer, Mass.) finished the leg and pitched two hitless innings for the win on the mound.
• Westfield State's Tyler Tongue (Hampden, Mass.) suffered the loss in a 1 1/3 inning performance. He allowed two runs on two hits. The Owls' starting pitcher Nate Marshall (Winsted, Conn.) pitched five innings and struck out five batters.

UP NEXT

Worcester State's baseball team heads back to the NEBC tomorrow and will matchup against Nichols College at 11 a.m. Westfield State will break until Monday (Apr. 2) and will face Western New England University at 3:30 p.m.

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