Softball Draw's Split With Cross Town Rival WPI

Worcester State 2, WPI 0

WPI 5, Worcester State 0

Game 1 --- Box Score

Game 2 --- Box Score

Worcester, MA --- WPI Softball split a doubleheader for the fourth consecutive time on Wednesday, as Christa Coscia (Lakeville, MA) dealt a four-hit shutout at the Lancers in game two to salvage the split.  WPI dropped the opener 2-0. The Engineers now sit at 15-16 on the season, while the Lancers moved to 12-10.

Coscia provided a strong outing in evening her record at 3-3 on the year. The freshman scattered just four singles and a walk while striking out three to help the Engineers rebound from their game one loss.

Coscia got all the run support that she needed with a two-out rally in the home half of the third. With runners on first and second and two out, Meg Foley (Belchertown, MA) lined a single to right to give WPI a 1-0 lead. Katherine Fitton (Lebanon, CT) followed with a two-RBI double that broke open the inning, as WPI jumped ahead 3-0. Courtney Rosales (Ipswich, MA) and Erin Beaulieu (Bethany, CT) responded with back-to-back RBI base hits as WPI led 5-0 after three.

Coscia permitted two hits in the fifth on singles by Lancer right fielder Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA) and shortstop Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) but the WPI hurler made the lead stand up by keeping Worcester State hitless the rest of the way. Foley was 3-for-3 in the second game to lead the Engineers. Each of WPI's first seven batters recorded hits as the Crimson and Gray picked up nine hits in the nightcap. Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA) and Stephanie Mullen (Natick, MA) also had hits for Worcester State.

In the opener, Lancers pitcher Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA) dominated, allowing just two hits en route to a complete-game 2-0 shutout. Mahoney (8-5) walked two and struck out five. WPI's Erin Flaherty (Stoughton, MA) also went the distance, allowing just two runs on seven hits. Flaherty (5-8) had seven Ks and walked three.

Worcester State picked up a run in the third to take the early lead on Jamie Jacobs' (Billerica, MA) first home run of the year. The Lancers added an insurance run in the seventh on a Cordio leadoff double and a Kaitlyn Laflash (Northbridge, MA) RBI groundout. Cordio was 3-for-4 in game one, while Howe had a 2-for-3 game for the Lancers. Kelly Johnson (Buxton, ME) had both WPI hits, two of her three total on the afternoon.

WPI is back in action on Friday when it will travel to Wheaton to face the Lyons in a NEWMAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 PM. Worcester State will play a MASCAC doubleheader at Salem State on Saturday at noon.

Release Courtesy of WPI Sports Information