Softball Notches Extra-Inning 3-1 Road Victory Over MCLA In MASCAC Quarterfinals

Worcester, MA --- Sophomore Hayley Terry (Dighton, MA) registered a two-out, two-run double center field for the game-winning hit in the top of the ninth to help pace third-seeded Worcester State to a 3-1 triumph over #2 MCLA this afternoon in the quarterfinals of the MASCAC Softball Tournament.

The Lancers (13-20) advance winners bracket of the conference tournament semifinals tomorrow to face-off against top-seeded Bridgewater State at 1:30 PM in Bridgewater. The Bears blanked fifth-seeded Framingham State earlier this afternoon, 6-0.

The Trailblazers (13-16) will try to stay alive in the league playoffs with an 11 AM matchup against the Rams.

With the game knotted up 1-1 in the top of the ninth, sophomore Jillian Witkowski (Leicester, MA) helped the Blue and Gold start the key rally with a single. She then moved to third on another solo base-knock by junior Katie Storro (Leominster, MA). After Storro swiped second, Terry hammered a 3-2 pitch to the deep part of centerfield to give WSU the two-run advantage.

The clutch plate appearance for Terry marked her second-straight match clinching hit as she delivered a walk off single in yesterday's 3-2 ninth inning victory over sixth-seeded Fitchburg State at home.

Junior Amanda Meczywor (Adams, MA) registered a lead-off single to try to get something going in the bottom of the ninth, but she was stranded at second base when freshman Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, CT) set down her last three batters.

Third-year Samantha Barbarotta (Pittsfield, MA) scampered home on a misplayed ball by the second baseman in the top of the third to give MCLA the early 1-0 edge. Barbarotta originally reached base on an infield miscue.

Despite being down by one score, Humphrey responded by retiring 13 batters in a row until the sixth inning. Worcester State used the effort in the circle by the rookie and knotted up the game in the top of the sixth.

Terry began the frame with a leadoff single and she advanced to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, freshman Mackenzie Crumley (Fall River, MA/Durfee) rapped out a single through the right side of the infield to drive in Terry for the tying run and set the stage for extra innings.

Humphrey (5-6) allowed the lone unearned run while scattering four base-knocks. She fanned six and walked no one in the complete-game effort – her fourth of the season.

Sophomore Rachel Quackenbush (Hoosick Falls, NY) fell to 9-9 as she went the distance for the 14 time on the campaign. Quackenbush yielded three earned runs and 11 hits as she also struck out nine and issued one free pass.

Freshman Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, RI) stayed hot with a 3-for-5 appearance at the plate while Storro, Terry and Humphrey all chipped in with two safties each. MCLA did not have any multi-hitters.

The Lancers also outhit their counterparts 11-4 with the lone extra base-knock of the contest being Terry's key double in the top of the ninth.

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