Lancers Claim Second Sweep, Pull Double Victories over Juniata

Worcester, MA- In their third day of Spring break action, the Worcester State Baseball team (4-2, 0-0) is looking for their third and fourth straight win after sweeping St. Lawrence on St. Patrick's day. After a day for practice between, the Lancers aimed to continue their offensive success that has been coming on strong in their trip to Florida.

Final

Game 1

Worcester State: 2

Juniata: 1

Game 2

Worcester State: 8

Juniata: 4

How it Happened:

Worcester State starting pitcher first year Matt Direnzo (Leicester, MA) would lead the Lancer's in a defensive battle versus Juniata in game one, carrying a scoreless game into the top of the fourth before the Eagles we are balt o grab a run off a deep fly to center that allowed a runner on third to tag up and get home.  Worcester's fielding wrapped up with a diving catch by sophomore Kevin Doyle (Bridgewater, MA) would maintain the 1-0 as the Lancers worked their way out of the offensive danger of the inning.

Sophomore Tyler Normandie (Lowell, MA) would kick start the action for Worcester in the bottom of the inning with a deep drop into left field that fell just out of reach of the outfielder for a double. Senior Andrew Medina (Boston, MA) would then do the honors with a single, shooting up the middle two batters later for Worcester to quickly tie the game up 1-1. 

First year Chris Mondesir (Roslindale, MA) would start the action in the fifth for Worcester with a double down the left field line. A stolen base and a sacrifice fly from senior Tyler Smith (Leominster, MA) would provide Worcester the 2-1 lead into the sixth. 

Direnzo and the Lancer defense would be relentless on the field making quick work of the remainder of the game to take the 2-1 victory.

The second meeting between the two teams would follow a similar script as game one except Worcester State would open the scoring in the fourth as senior Anthony Iamarone (Providence, RI) would drop a ball to left field that would find Smith rounding third with pace and beating the tag at the plate for the first run of the game. First year Riggs Catlin (Dedham, MA) would then send a little sacrifice blooper to the pitcher to allow Normandie to come across the plate for a Worcester 2-0 lead. 

The fifth would see some additional action as a balk and intentional walk would load the bases which Smith would capitalize on with a deep single to left that would send sophomore Ryan Jewett (Natick, MA) back to home plate for run three. Iamarone's far reaching fly ball would be mishandled by the centerfielder, with the ball coming off the head and glove, to send across Doyle, Mondesir and Smith for Worcester to grab the 6-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth. 

Junior Nolan Turner's (Barnstable, MA) no-hitter was eventually broken up in the bottom of fifth, but the stellar defense across the diamond would ensure that the Eagles were unable to send any runs across the plate. 

The sixth would add in additional runs as Doyle would send a quick ball to short who made the out at second but Thurber would find his way home during the action for run seven on the game. Juanita would work at the bottom of the inning to grab two runs back before the Worcester defense was able to move the game to the seventh. 

Iamarone would continue his deep looks in the eight with a solo home run on two outs over the left field fence to push the lead back to 8-2. A two run homer in the bottom of the seventh would put the pressure on the Lancer defense to wrap up the action as the score moved to 8-4. Senior Mike Bean (Tampa, FL) would come to the mound for the two outs of the game, making quick work of the action to preserve the 8-4 win for a sweep for Worcester State on the day.

What's Next:

Worcester State (6-2, 0-0) returns to action tomorrow at 10am for another seven inning double header meeting, this time with St. Norbert.