Rhode Island College Defeats Softball Twice In Non-Conference Twinbill

Providence, RI --- Freshman Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, RI) and sophomore Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) both registered three base-knocks each as they helped lead Worcester State in a pair of setbacks to Rhode Island College this evening.

The Lancers (2-7) were swept by the Anchorwomen 10-1 in five innings and 2-1 in the nightcap.

Terry helped the Blue and Gold get on the board first in the top of the first with an RBI single to help drive in Salisbury, who led off the frame with a double to centerfield. But Terry was stranded at third when freshman Lauren DiScuillo (E. Providence, RI) set down the last two batters with ground outs.

Rhode Island College (7-9) responded in the bottom of the first and tied up the score 1-1 on a run scoring single by junior Justina Thoma (Canterbury, CT).

In the top of the third, Worcester State had runners on second and third with one out, but junior Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA) was cut down trying to steal home and Terry lined out to finish off the frame.

Outs proved to be crucial for the hosts as the Anchorwomen scored twice in the third on a two-run double by Thoma and broke the game open with a seven-run fourth inning to take over a commanding nine-score margin.

DiScullo (1-2) relinquished six of the last seven batters she faced to complete the three-hitter in five innings.

Sophomore Marissa Avanzato (Pittsfield, MA) absorbed the loss. Avanzato (1-2) went three-plus innings allowing four earned runs on six hits to go with two punch outs and one free pass.  

Hanley finished with a double to help pace the three base-knock attack in the opener for WSU.

In the finale, the Lancers started the second game the same way they began the opener – with a score in the top of the first. Salisbury jacked a triple to right field and came around to score on a plated single to left center by sophomore Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA).

RIC answered in the bottom of the third taking advantage of a key miscue.

With runners a man on second, senior Stacey Pokora (Wilton, CT) knotted up the contest 1-1 with a single to center. Classmate Kristina Gingell (Pascoag, RI) followed by inducing a shallow fly to the leftfielder, but it was misplayed and Pokora scored the go-ahead run on the play.

The Blue and Gold had a tough time at the plate trying to solve senior Maria Darling (Ansonia, CT), who scattered five base-knocks over her final six frames of work to shut down the Lancer offense.

WSU had an opportunity in the top of the sixth with Terry at second and freshman Mackenzie Crumley (Fall River, MA) at first, but the visitors couldn't get anything going as Darling induced a ground out to end the threat

After allowing a lead-off double in the fourth, Rich matched the effort by Darling in the circle.

Following a lead-off double by Darling in the top of the fourth, Rich retired nine of the last 10 that she saw en route to three scoreless stanzas. Overall, Rich (1-3) gave up two runs (one earned) while giving up five hits in the losing decision.

Darling (1-1) fanned four over her seven innings of work. She permitted eight hits and allowed one earned run.

Salisbury, Terry and Crumley all tallied two base-knocks each to pace an attack that actually outhit their counterparts in the second game, 8-5.