Softball Runs Winning Streak To Six In Sweep Of Fitchburg State

Fitchburg, MA --- Worcester State defeated Fitchburg State twice in MASCAC softball action this afternoon at Coolidge Park.

Senior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) fired a three-hitter to blank the Falcons, 7-0, in the first game before classmate Aimee Lamoureux (E. Brookfield, MA) went 3-for-3 at the plate to help lead the Lancers to a 5-3 victory in the nightcap. 

In the opener, Worcester State (18-13, 8-4 MASCAC) started off the game in the top of the second on a two-run single by freshman Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) for the 2-0 edge.

The Lancers extended their lead in the very next frame on a run producing single by junior Hillary Hart (Clinton, MA), who drove in senior Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA) from second. Pease started the uprising with a walk and then she swiped second. 

After the Blue and Gold crossed the plate twice in the top of the sixth by taking advantage of three infield miscues, Everson jacked an RBI double and she came around to score on an RBI base-knock by sophomore Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA).

Everson (4-5) was stellar in her fourth shutout of the season and fifth consecutive for the Lancers as a team. She fanned four and did not allow a walk in the triumph.

Fitchburg State (14-20, 6-6 MASCAC) sophomore Brittany Whiting (Sharon, MA) yielded seven runs (five earned) on nine hits to go with nine punch outs and one walk.

Hart, Hanley and Terry all had two hits for the Lancers who outslugged their opponents, 9-3 in the win. Third-year Alison Page (Wakefield, MA) had the lone extra-base hit for the hosts with a double in the bottom of the fifth.

Lamoureux was the spark in the finale as she was a home-run shy of the cycle with a pair of RBIs as Hart crossed home plate twice for the Lancers. Page chipped in with a pair of safeties and a run scored for the Falcons.

Worcester State made quick work in the opener with the 1-0 lead when they took advantage of a key miscue by the shortstop.

The visitors made the score 3-0 in the top of the fourth on and RBI ground-out by freshman Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) and a run scoring triple by Lamoureux for her MASCAC-leading fourth of the campaign.

Lamoureux chipped in with a clutch run producing double with two-outs in the top of the sixth to score Hart. Hart reached on an error by the shortstop and moved into scoring position on a ground-out.

Fitchburg State, however, made the contest a game in the bottom of the sixth when they took advantage of a pair of misplays in the infield. Junior Kerry Alcott (Groton, MA) also delivered a two-run single to make the score 4-3 with two men down.

Worcester State gave themselves some breathing room in the top of the seventh on an RBI double by Pease. Everson then retired the top of the line up in order to record her second save of the season.

Rich (9-4) surrendered three unearned runs on five hits to go with one walk and one strikeout. Alcott (8-4) shouldered the setback in the complete-game affair as she gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits to go with six strikeouts and four free passes.

WSU had the 6-5 advantage in hits while both squads combined to leave 10 men in scoring position.

Both teams will play non-conference twin bills on Thursday at 3 o'clock. Worcester State takes on Brandeis while Fitchburg State renews heads south to face off against Nichols