Lancers Draw Split With Fitchburg State

Fitchburg State 10, Worcester State 4

Worcester State 8, Fitchburg State 6

Game 1 --- Box Score

Game 2 --- Box Score

Worcester, MA --- Fitchburg State scored nine runs over the final two frames to post a 10-4 game one victory before Worcester State received a clutch two-out RBI single by freshman Alex Kerr (Franklin, MA) in a 8-6 comeback triumph as both teams drew a split this evening in MASCAC softball action at Rockwood Park.

With the win the Lancers improve to 18-14 and 8-4 in the conference while Fitchburg State moves to 10-22 and 4-8 in the MASCAC.

In the opener, Mahoney started off the game well as she retired the first six batters she faced until freshman Stephanie Keller (Front Royal, VA) led off the top of the third with a double and later scored on a run producing single by senior Leigh Trzcinski (Worcester, MA) for the 1-0 edge.

Through its first three innings, Worcester State left five in scoring position – including the bases loaded in the third – until they finally took advantage of a miscue in the infield to knot the score 1-1 as junior Kaitlyn Laflash (Northbridge, MA) reached on an error in the infield. Laflash then came around to score on a ball that the second baseman misplayed.

Mahoney and FSC third-year starter Nicole Monroe (Townsend, MA) then put up zero’s over the next frame before Fitchburg took control with a five-run sixth. The Falcons were highlighted by a two-run single by junior Lauren Donell (Ayer, MA) and a two-run homer by sophomore Kelly Cummings (Natick, MA).

Fitchburg State continued to score runs in the seventh as they put up four more in the seventh for a commanding 10-1 lead. Sophomore Ashley McKinnon (Raynham, MA) notched a two-run double and later Cummings tacked on another score with an RBI single.

The Lancers made it interesting though as they plated three runs in the bottom of frame. Monroe had difficulty retiring the first four batters as the first three crossed the plate. Sophomore classmates Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) and Ashley Howe (Winchendon, MA) each plated runs while classmate Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA) scored on one of Monroe’s three wild pitches in the inning.

With Cordio at third though, Monroe would retire the side in order to preserve the victory for the Falcons.

Monroe (5-8) and Mahoney each went the distance for their respective teams. Monroe allowed four earned runs and held the Lancers to just four hits as she walked three and fanned six. Mahoney yielded career highs of 10 runs – eight of which were earned – off of 12 hits. She struck out five and walked no one.

Trzcinski, McKinnon, Keller and Cummings all added two hits apiece while Cordio was WSC’s only multi hitter as she went 2-for-3.

In the second contest, the Lancers bats woke up in the second inning as they went up 4-0 early on. Kerr hammered a two-run homer before Corio and Besozzi each scored on an error in the infield with the bases juiced.

Lancer second-year starter Marcy Rumrill (Orange, MA) pitched four scoreless innings before she ran into trouble in the fifth inning. Rumrill collected five punchouts and walked no one in her 4 1/3 innings of work.

Fitchburg State would claim the 6-4 lead with a six-run uprising in the fifth. Keller, Cummings and first-year Lauren Weitz (Billerica, MA) loaded the bases on a walk and consecutive singles before junior Meghan Jenkins (Dedham, MA) lined a two-run base-hit to start the rally. An error in the infield put three on base again and then third-year pinch-hitter Kristen Love (Londonderry, NH) drove in a run to chase Rumrill from the game.

With one out in the inning and the score tied 4-4, Mahoney was then inserted into the circle and she had difficulty ending the inning in relief. Mahoney started the inning with a strikeout, but she gave up a single to Donell that plated a pair of runs for the go-ahead scores. Consecutive miscues in the infield juiced the bases again, but Mahoney ended the frame with a ground out.

The Lancers used a four-run fifth inning to stage their come-from behind victory. Worcester State took advantage of a lead-off error as Howe and Mahoney equalized the score 6-6 on back-to-back run producing base hits. Kerr knocked in the go-ahead run two batters later. With the bases loaded and two outs, the Lancers used some heads-up running as Kerr scored an insurance run on an infield fly that was dropped by the second baseman.

Mahoney (12-8) then earned the triumph as she tossed two scoreless innings. She would fan five and walk one as she picked up her third triumph in relief. All wins in relief have come in MASCAC play.

Sophomore Allison Cousins (Leominster, MA) shouldered the loss out of the bullpen for FSC as she allowed four runs (two earned) in three innings of work off of four hits. Monroe started the game and went the first two innings allowing four runs (two earned) off three base knocks. The duo combined for four walks and three strikeouts while Cousin’s drops to 3-6 on the season.

Fitchburg State actually outhit the Blue and Gold 10-9. Kerr and Mahoney each went 2-for-4 in the second game for WSC while Jenkins chipped in with two hits and a pair of RBIs for the Falcons. Kerr also drove in three and scored two runs.

The Lancers will close out their regular season on Saturday in a key MASCAC twin bill at home against Bridgewater State at 12 PM while Fitchburg State heads to Framingham State for a conference doubleheader starting at 1 PM.