Humphrey and Zielinski Shutout Clark in Cross-Town Doubleheader

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University softball team shutout the visiting Clark University Cougars by scores of 6-0 and 4-0 in a Friday afternoon doubleheader at Rockwood Park.

GAME ONE: Worcester State 6, Clark 0

The Lancers shutout Clark 6-0 in the opener, as senior Pitcher Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, Conn.) tossed a complete-game four hit shutout with two strikeouts.

Offensively, the Lancers were paced by senior Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, R.I.), junior Kaci Panarelli (Shrewsbury, Mass.), and sophomore Kristen Huston (Spencer, Mass.). Salisbury finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI, while Panarelli and rookie Shannon Magner (Lynn, Mass.) finished 2-for-3. The two hits were Magner's first collegiate hits.

The Cougars had four hits in game including a double by sophomore Taylor Erickson (Natick, Mass.). Senior Lauren Mackey (Dublin, N.H.), sophomore Serina Cook (Sunderland, Mass.), and freshmen Kaitlyn DeBlois (Turner, Maine) also registered hits for the Cougars in game one.

The Lancers took the lead early in the 1^st inning when Panarelli's RBI single scored Huston and Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.). They added two more in the bottom of the 4^th when Salisbury double plated Magner. Salisbury rounded the bases as she scored on an RBI single from Huston.

The Lancers added their last pair of runs in the bottom of the 5^th when Salisbury plated Magner and senior Corrie Derosier (Shrewsbury, Mass.) to insure the win.

Brenna Foley (Charlton, Mass.) pitched 3.2 innings for the Cougars and was charged with the loss, moving her record to 2-7. Humphrey was tabbed with the win and improves to 3-4 on the season.

GAME TWO: Worcester State 4, Clark 0

Worcester State's rookie pitcher, Carly Zielinski (Monson, Mass.) led the Lancers in game two with another complete-game shutout, allowing six hits and striking out a career-high eight batters.

The Lancers once again reached the scoreboard in the bottom of the 1^st inning on an RBI single from Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.), plating Despres for the 1-0 lift.

It wasn't until the bottom of the 5^th inning that the Lancers were able to score again, when Derosier plated Monica Ferrazzani (N. Reading, Mass.) on an RBI single to left center.

Worcester State assured the win in the bottom of the 6^th inning when Panarelli and Zielkinski hit two runs home on a double and a single, respectively, to left field.

Despres and Panarelli piloted the offense in game two as they each picked up a single and a double.

For the visitors, Christina Kopacz (N. Grosvenordale, Conn.) led the offense going 3-for-3 with a double. Sami West (Gonic, N.H.), Mackey, and Cook scattered the other six hits for the Cougars.

West suffered the loss in the circle, as she pitched for six innings and allowed four runs on eight hits. She concludes the season at 3-7, while Zielinski improves to 2-0.

Next up, the Lancers (14-16) travel to MCLA tomorrow (Apr. 29) for their last regular season MASCAC doubleheader of the season. Clark concludes their season with a 9-23 overall record, and a 2-16 NEWMAC record.