Softball Sweeps Nichols, 10-7 and 4-1, In Non-Conference Affair

Dudley, MA --- Junior Hillary Hart (Clinton, MA) and sophomore Katie Roy (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) each blasted home runs as they helped pace Worcester State to a 10-7 and 4-1 sweep of Nichols in non-conference softball action on Thursday evening.

In the opener for the Lancers (12-9), Roy was 2-for-2 with a trio of RBIs while senior teammates Alex Kerr (Franklin, MA), Aimee Lamoureux (E. Brookfield, MA) and Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA), junior Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) each contributed two base-knocks apiece.

Hassett, Kerr, Pease all scored two runs each while sophomore Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA) drove in a pair of runs and crossed home plate twice herself.

The Bison (4-18) opened the contests scoring in the bottom of the first when junior Jordan D'Aurio (Northford, CT) and sophomore Avery Orszulak (Springfield, MA) both notched run producing singles.

Freshman Alexa Polverari (Barnford, CT) lined another run scoring single to help give the hosts the 3-0 advantage in the very next inning.

But Worcester State doubled up their opponents, 6-3, in the top of the fifth as the frame was highlighted by Roy who jacked her first collegiate homer with a two-run blast and Hanley who hit a two-run safety.

Nichols responded with an RBI double by junior Rebecca Palmarozza (Hamden, CT) to make the score 6-4, but left the tying runs in scoring position.

The Lancers took advantage by crossing the plate four more times in the top of the sixth. Hassett and Kerr came home on a misplayed ball by the second-baseman before Hart hit a deep fly ball to score a run and Roy connected for an RBI two-bagger for the 10-4 advantage.

The Bison did not go away quietly as junior Amanda Broughton (Plymouth, MA) hammered a two-run double to right center in the bottom of the sixth and Orszulak crossed home on an errant throw by the catcher trying to get a runner going from first to second to threaten in the last of the seventh.

But with a man on second in the top of the seventh, Roy ended the game with a strikeout and a ground-out.

Roy (4-1) permitted seven runs (six earned) on 15 hits to go with five strikeouts. She did not walk a batter.

Nichols sophomore Taylor Ferrazzi (Ashland, MA) went the first 4 2/3 innings allowing six unearned runs on seven base-knocks before she was finished off by first-year Lindsay Rapazzo (Mashpee, MA) who gave up four earned runs on seven hits in the final 2 1/3 frames. 

Ferrazzi (2-5) fanned two and Rapazzo issued two free passes.

For the Bison, Orszulak was 4-for-4 as junior Emalee Watkins (Malden, MA) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. The hosts also edged the Lancers out in the hitting department, 15-14.

In the nightcap, the Blue and Gold took over the early 4-0 margin after three innings of play.

In the top of the second, freshman Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) crossed home on an RBI single by sophomore Katie Storro (Leominster, MA) and then Storro came around to score on a botched play by the centerfielder. Hart also jacked her first career homer for a two-run shot in the third.

After yielding the homer to Hart, Rebecca Waszczuk (Chester, NH) was effective in relief as she shut down the Lancer offense by setting down 12 of her last 14 batters, without permitting a walk and she scattered a pair of solo base-knocks in her final 5 1/3 frames.

For the Lancers, freshman Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) was magnificent in the circle. She tossed six frames of three-hit softball until she allowed a run to cross the plate in the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, D'Aurio, Orzulak and Palmorozza reached on three consecutive singles.

D'Aurio scampered home on a passed ball to end the second-straight shutout bid by Rich, but with runners on second and third, she ended the contest by striking out the side swinging.

Rich (6-3) fanned eight in her seven innings of work as she gave up the lone unearned run and permitted six hits.

Rappazzo (1-6) was tagged with the loss for Nichols. She went the first 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one unearned) on five base-knocks.  She did not walk or strikeout a batter while Waszczuk rung up one batter on strikes.

Hassett was the lone multi-hitter for the Lancers as sophomore Kaylee McNamara (Watertown, MA) was 2-for-2 led the Bison as their only batter with more than one safety.

The Lancers finished with the 8-6 edge in hits in the final game of the series.

Both squads continue their conference schedule on the road in 1 o'clock matchups. Worcester State heads to Framingham for a MASCAC battle while Nichols visits Curry in a Commonwealth Coast Conference match-up.