Lancers Drop Two On The Road Against Salem St.

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (8-22, 7-9 MASCAC) traveled to the North Shore where they took the field against the Salem State Vikings (16-13, 9-7 MASCAC) for today's doubleheader. The team looked to bounce back after allowing a comeback victory in the top of the ninth yesterday.

GAME ONE FINAL:

SALEM ST.- 2

LANCERS - 1

GAME TWO FINAL:

LANCERS- 5 

SALEM ST.- 1

HOW IT HAPPENED:

GAME ONE:

The first game of the day turned into a pitching duel as this one was held at a 1-1 tie heading into the bottom of the sixth. In comparison, these two tallied a total of 22 runs combined in yesterday's nine inning bout. Recent MASCAC Pitcher of the Week & senior left-hander Ben Smith (2-3)(Bourne, MA) took the bump. In six appearances this season, Smith has amassed an impressive 11.50 K/9 rate along with a 3.75 ERA. Opposite of Smith was Vikings Brock Pare (2-3)(3.49 ERA). 

During the top of the first, sophomore left fielder Nathan Thurber (Framingham, MA) recorded a single down the right field line for the game's only hit until the fourth inning with Smith punching out five batters in that frame. The top of the fourth saw Worcester score a run and take a 1-0 lead. Thurber singled for his second base hit of the afternoon followed by a single into right field from senior Frankie Hernandez (Framingham, MA), advancing Thurber to third. Sophomore third baseman Aaron Siegal (Abington, MA) at the plate flew out to left when Antonio Belgrove mishandled the ball allowing Thurber to score. Pare locked in to finish off the inning with no other damage caused.

It wasn't long before Salem answered with the Vikings putting up a run in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. With one out, Yabdriel forced a walk from Smith followed by a pop up for the second out of the inning. Senior James Dolan singled to left, putting Yabdriel in scoring position. Belgrove at the plate made up for his run allowing error with the first-year mashing a ground-rule double effectively scoring Yabdriel, but holding Dolan at third to keep the game tied 1-1. Smith got out of the jam, getting the next batter to ground out.

The Lancers would not be able to capitalize in the top of the fifth as the squad left the bases loaded. First-year center fielder Kevin Doyle (Bridgewater, MA) led the inning off with a walk. Ryan Jewett knocked a single to center, advancing Doyle to second with one out. Thurber raked his third hit of game one when the sophomore singled to center, loading the bases. Pare, determined to keep the game level, punched out the next two batters to escape the rocky fifth.

In the bottom of the sixth, the score tied up at 1-1, the Vikings took the lead as they scored one to enter the seventh. Mark Smith reached base on an error from Jewett at shortstop on the throw. With two outs, Dolan knocked a single to left-center where Doyle fired the ball home attempting to throw out Smith at the plate. Smith beat the throw as the ball sailed to the backstop with no one backing up junior catcher Tyler Smith (Leominster, MA), the Vikings taking the lead 2-1 entering the final inning.

Worcester made it interesting when Jewett singled to center, advancing to second on the play with great baserunning and hustle as Salem St. center fielder slightly juggled the ball in the transition of picking it up. Senior Jake Boucher was called from the bullpen to replace Pare. Thurber and his three hit day followed, flying out to right and advancing Jewett to third. A runner on third with one out, Frankie Hernandez would be intentionally walked and pinch run for by Chris Cordani (Holliston, MA) as the Lancers threatened with runners at the corner. With two outs, Cordani swiped second base, placing both runners into scoring position. Boucher forced Siegal to fly out into deep center to end the game, completing the save opportunity.

GAME TWO:

Junior left-hander Jarret Morrill (1-2)(Chelmsford, MA) took the mound for game two of today's doubleheader. In six appearances this season, Morrill enters with a 10.26 ERA. First-year Cam Fisher (4-0)(4.91 ERA) was given the ball for the Vikings.

Salem St. made some noise in the first inning when the team went up 2-0. Max Smith and Yabdiel Gonzales each worked back-to-back walks to begin the inning. With one out, Morrill walked his third batter of the inning to load the bases. Antonio Belgrove added a second RBI on the day when he hit a sac fly to right field, scoring Smith. The next at-bat, Jake Boucher, credited with the save in game one, singled to left scoring Gonzales for the 2-0 lead. Morrill forced a groundout ending the inning without any more harm. 

The Lancers threatened in the top of the third, at one point having runners in scoring position with just one out. Senior third baseman Tom Halliwell (Leominster, MA) singled to right, followed by a perfectly executed bunt from senior catcher Colin Fitzgerald (Auburn, MA). Sophomore right-fielder Gavin Wells (North Attleboro, MA) laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. Fisher settled down, getting the next two Lancers to fly out, ending the chance for Worcester.  

The bottom of the fourth brought action with Salem St. recording two runs to take a 4-0 lead. With two outs in the inning, Aidan Lynch reached base on a single. Morrill drilled the next batter putting runners at first and second. A pass ball dribbled past Smith behind the plate advancing both runners into scoring position. Gonzalez adding to his impressive afternoon doubled down the right field line to expand the Viking lead 4-0. Morrill struck out the next batter ending the inning. 

Worcester cut the lead by one in the top of the six when Frankie Hernandez ripped a triple to right center, ending Fisher's day with Salem calling to the bullpen for junior Bobby Jellison (0-3)(7.16 ERA). The Lancers took advantage of the change with Tom Halliwell knocking down his third hit of game two for an RBI single, the score 4-1.

Salem St. eyeing a sweep retaliated with two runs scored in the bottom of the sixth, bringing the score to 6-2. Head coach Phil Price inserted Evan Samsel into the game for Morrill. Samsel hit his first batter Max Smith. Smith on the basepaths stole second and third consecutively. Gonzalez in the box recorded his third RBI when he singled to right field bringing Smith home. Owen Duggan followed with the sophomore singling to right putting runners at the corners with one out. James Dolan proceeded to fly out to right for a sacrifice, furthering Salem's lead 6-2. Samsel exited the inning by getting a batter to fly out for the final out of the inning. 

The Lancers would go out quietly in the bottom top of the seventh, dropping both games on the road to Salem St.  

UPDATED RECORDS:

Worcester State - (8-24, 7-11)

Salem State - (18-13, 11-7) 

WHAT'S NEXT?:

The Lancers will be back in action Wednesday, May 4th where they will match up with non-conference team Keene State Owls (16-18, 5-6 LEC) in New Hampshire. First pitch is scheduled for 3 PM. Tune in live at wsulancers.com.