Lancers Claim Two off Cougars in Home Opener

Worcester, MA- The Lancers (8-6) took on Clark University (3-10) in a doubleheader in a city of Worcester showdown. They look to bounce back after a four-game losing streak since returning from Myrtle Beach.  

FINAL - Lancers 8, Clark 3

In the first home game of the season for the Lancers, junior Emily Bartlett (Lowell, MA) (1-2) took the mound. Bartlett comes into the game with eight appearances on the season so far with 38 strikeouts under her belt. Starting for the Clark Cougars was senior Nicole Buckley (Hazlet, NJ) (0-3).

It was a great game by Bartlett as she not only held Clark to three runs while striking out 13 in seven innings, but she was an offensive powerhouse going 3-3 with three RBI's, two runs, and a triple. Lancers would have five players hit above .300 in this game as seniors Rachel Sinclair (Westminster, MA) and Naraylee Baez (Northborough, MA) both went 2-3. Baez hit a triple with Sinclair having two runs. First-year Bailey Tammaro (Fitchburg, MA) would go 2-3 with an RBI and a triple of her own. 

The bats were alive to start the game for Worcester State as they scored three in the first inning. Bartlett showed that she could do it all as she hit a triple to open the offensive for the Lancers. Sinclair walked to allow sophomore Abigail Kozial (Lunenburg, MA) to hit an RBI single to bring Bartlett home and make it 1-0. First-year Bella Gasbarro (Leominster, MA) would add to the hit total by hitting a single to load the bases. Tamarro hit a bloop single to bring in a run to make the score 2-0. Baez would conclude the first-inning run total with a sac fly RBI to make the score 3-0.

Clark would eventually find their bats as they went on to tie the game. Senior Reilly Bronson (Seymour, Conn) walked and was followed up by senior Allessia Mauro (Woodbury, Conn) who was hit by a pitch. Bartlett, struggling with her command, would have a wild pitch advancing both runners into scoring position. Samantha Crowley (Middleborough, MA) put Clark on the board with an RBI sacrifice hit to first. Junior Rebecca Mauro (Easton, Conn) hit a double to left field that was mishandled by Baez allowing a run to cross making the score 3-2. Felicia Salvati (Naugatuck, CT) would also take advantage of the error driving Mauro in to tie the game 3-3. 

In the bottom of the third, Lancer's Tammaro would reach base on a two-out triple. Baez came up with a clutch triple of her own to give the Lancers the lead of 4-3.    

The Lancers would give themselves an insurance run with sophomore Emma Lanpher (Charleton, MA) reaching base and being advanced over by Emma Lapoint (Westfield, MA). Bartlett would drive Lanpher in to make the score 5-3 in the bottom of the fourth.  

Bartlett would get herself into a jam in the top of the sixth giving Clark a chance to stay alive. Salvati would lead the inning off with a double. She advances to third on an infield error by Lapoint off a dribbler by First Year Alyssa Briggs (Plymouth, MA). Briggs would advance to second on an uncontested steal bringing both runners to scoring position. Bartlett would lock in and get herself out of the jam. 

The Lancers locked up the win with a double by Lapointe in the bottom of the sixth to lead off. After a wild pitch moved her over, Bartlett drove in Lapointe. Sinclair would reach base on an error and sacrifice hits by Jordan Geloso (Rutland, MA) and Gasbarro.  

Second game 

Senior Jen Thorburn (Groton, MA) (2-2) takes the mound for the Lancers with 16 strikeouts in four appearances. She was matched up against first-year Brooke Buzzeo (Trumbell, CT) (3-3) who boasts a 2.31 ERA in seven appearances. 

FINAL Lancers 5, Clark 4

After defeating Clark in both games of the doubleheader, the Lancers record improved to (10-6) with the Cougars moving to (3-12). Bella Gasbarro would have herself a game going 2-3 with two doubles and three RBI's. The Lancers also had seven players bat above .300. Thorburn would be tested throughout the game but stayed strong to give her team the win.

The Lancers started this game off hot with a two-run double by first-year Bella Gasbarro (Leominster, MA) to bring in first-year Emma Lapoint (Westfield, MA) and senior Naraylee Baez (Northborough, MA who reached base on a single and a walk respectively. 

Clark threatened Thorburn in the top of the second, loading the bases with two outs. The pressure didn't reach Thorburn as she buckled down and regained composure to hush the rallying Cougars. Third basemen senior Rachel Sinclair (Westminster, MA) fielded a ground ball right to her to force the out at third and bring the half-inning to an end.  

With one out in the bottom of the third, Sinclair would spark the Lancer's bats with a double to the outfield. Sophomore Abigail Koziol (Lunenburg, MA) singled to right to follow up and was driven in by a massive hit off the left field wall by Gasbarro for a double to make the score 4-0. First-year Jayden Kelly (Tyngsboro, MA) would follow up with a hit back to the pitcher that was mishandled loading the bases for the Lancers. Bailey Tammaro got just enough contact with the ball for a bloop single for an RBI. Gabarro would end the scoring on a wild pitch by Buzzeo putting the Lancers up 5-0. 

The top of the fourth would also test Thorburn. Junior Samantha Crowley (Middleboro, MA) brought the Cougars some life with a double to left field. She would advance with a sacrifice where she would then score to give Clark their first run of the game. Thorburn would also work  herself into more trouble by walking senior Eliza Lindberg (East Chatham, NY) and a pass ball allowing runners to advance into scoring position. First-year Emillie Spence  (Margate, FL) would drive in a run. Crowley would add her second double of the inning to add an RBI to her impressive inning. Erin Slavin (Rocky Hill, CT) would conclude the damage with a sacrifice hit for an RBI. The score at the end of the fourth would be 5-4 Lancers.   

Thorburn would come back out in the 7th to finish off her start and add a W to her record. It was an easy inning of work for her to secure the sweep of Clark University and give the Lancers a much-needed bounceback after a four-game losing skid. 

The next game for the Lancers will be March 29th at WPI 3:30 PM.