Couto Marks 100th Career Hit in Sweep of Nichols College

DUDLEY, Mass. – Worcester State won a pair of games against the Nichols College Bisons in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon at the Nichols Softball Field. With the win, the Lancers improve to 16-17-1, while the Bisons drop to 12-14.

Worcester State's Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.) registered her 100^th career hit today against the Bisons, as she is currently averaging .253 with 22 hits thus far on the 2016 campaign.

"Getting 100 years in just three years is quite an accomplishment," commented head coach Michelle Cote. "This is a testament to her hard work and I couldn't be prouder of this milestone in her career."

"She is heating up at the right time of the season, and we are looking forward to see what she has in play not only for the rest of the season, but for the remainder of her career at Worcester State," added Cote.

GAME ONE: Worcester State 9, Nichols 3

Sophomore Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.) belted a two-run home run and drove in three runs for the Lancers while junior Dakota Smith-Porter (Montague, Mass.) recorded three hits.

Despres hit a two-run homer in the first and laced an RBI double in the sixth as Worcester State pounded out 13 hits. Seniors Sarah Pelletier (Leominster, Mass.) and Taylor Daniels (Norco, Calif.) each had two hits and an RBI.

Senior Marissa Avanzato (Pittsfield, Mass.) came on in relief and pitched the last four innings to earn her first win this season (second career). She allowed three hits and two unearned runs with two walks and one strikeout.

Meehan and sophomore Kasey Ayer (Niantic, Conn.) each had two hits for Nichols while freshman Zoe Chevrette (Wilbraham, Mass.) had an RBI single, giving her 14 hits in her last 12 games. Senior starter Haley Fountain (Warren, Mass.) gave up nine hits and seven runs (five earned) in three innings to fall to 5-5 on the season.

GAME TWO: Worcester State 6, Nichols 0 (5 inn.)

The Lancers shut out the Bisons in game two as Despres launched a three-run home run in the fifth and finished 3-for-3 with four RBI. Junior Mary McKeown (Shrewsbury, Mass.) struck out six in five innings of work to earn her first win of the season.

Meehan was tagged with the loss as she surrendered seven hits and five runs in four innings.

Today's games marked the 32^nd and 33^rd all-time meetings between Nichols College and Worcester State University. With the sweep, the Lancers improve to 22-11 all-time against the Bison.

The Lancers next game is scheduled for Saturday (Apr. 23) at Salem State for a MASCAC doubleheader, starting at 12 p.m. 

Release Courtesy of Nichols Sports Information