Softball Drops Pair In ECAC Semifinals To End Season

#2 Lesley 15, #6 Worcester State 7 - 5 Innings

#5 Bridgewater State 4, #6 Worcester State 1

Game 1 --- Box Score

Game 2 --- Box Score

Keene, NH --- Sixth seeded Worcester State dropped two games today as they lost to #2 Lesley University, 15-7, and to fifth seeded Bridgewater State, 4-1, in the loser bracket game. The Lancers finish their season at 20-19 for their 10th 20-win season in program history and first since 2002.

In the opening game, Lesley (26-11) started off the game with an offensive explosion as they scored 10 runs in the bottom of the first off sophomore Marcy Rumrill (Orange, MA). The Lynx were highlighted by a two-run single by freshman Molly Sarson (Sanford, ME) and a three-run homer by junior Ashley Cunningham (Mountain Top, PA). First-year Emily Margiaratti (Amherst, MA) and senior Jodi Fralick (Woburn, MA) helped Lesley take advantage of a throwing error as they combined to manufacture three run with doubles.

The Lancers finally broke the shutout off of sophomore Cassandra Knox (Sea Cliff, NY) when second-year Lauren Besozzi (Milford, MA) and senior Ashley Loomer (Pepperell, MA) and drove in runs as they each notched doubles to make the score 10-2.

But the Lynx answered with a three-run third to extend the advantage to 13-2 as junior Alyson Durben (Stow, MA) plated a pair of runs and first-year Jessica Guevara (Nantucket, MA) scampered home on a throwing error by the first-baseman.

Worcester State got to Knox again in the top of the fourth as they batted around and made the score 13-7. Sophomore Melissa Beaudry (Worcester, MA/St. Peter Marian) and Besozzi registered consecutive RBI base knocks before classmate Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) knocked in a pair with a double.

After a scoreless inning of play, Lesley ended the game in the bottom of the fifth with the eight run rule on a two-run single by Durben with two outs.

Loomer, Besozzi and Beaudry each went 2-for-2 for WSC while Beaudry and Besozzi each scored two runs. Fralick and Mangiaratti tallied a trio of hits for the Lynx while Guevara and Fralick touched home three times.

Knox improved her season mark to 23-8 as she went five full innings. Knox allowed seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits as she fanned three and walked one.

Rumrill shouldered the setback as her record drops to 4-5. Beaudry was inserted into the game in the bottom of the first and pitched the final four innings for the Lancers. Beaudry gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits as she issued one free pass and struck out two.

In the second game against Bridgewater State (20-20), the Lancers took the early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With two outs, sophomore Jamie Jacobs (Billerica, MA) singled through the left side, moved to second on a stolen base and then she came home on a miscue in the infield. WSC had a runner on second, but junior Tracey Sanko (Windsor, CT) ended the frame with a strikeout.

Sanko and junior Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA) matched zeros until the Bears scored four times in the top of the fifth. With two down in the inning, senior Lauren Cucinotta (Franklin, MA) plated two runs with runners on the corners and then she scampered home on a muffed throw at first. Junior Penny King (Dartmouth, MA) doubled in senior Meghan Noyes (Stoughton, MA) for some insurance to cap off the inning. 

The Lancers were effectively shut down by Sanko (6-2) who set down 18 of the last 23 batters she would face from the second through the seventh inning. Sanko limited the Lancers to five total hits and she finished with eight strikeouts.

Mahoney (13-11) pitched seven complete innings and allowed four runs (zero earned) off seven hits while she walked one and punched out three.

Sanko and King led the Bears at the plate as they registered two hits each. There were no multi-hitters in the second contest for WSC.