KOZIOL'S GRAND SLAM LEADS LANCERS TO SPLIT WITH WESTFIELD

Worcester, Mass., - Coming off of a sweep yesterday versus Anna Mara. The Worcester State Lancers Softball team (12-7, 2-0) were aiming to make it four in a row as they took on MASCAC foes the Westfield State Owls (13-4-1, 2-0) in their rain-delayed matchup from this past Saturday. 

Final, Game 1

Worcester State: 12, Westfield State: 1

Worcester State University Lancers had a 12-1 victory over the Westfield State University Owls on Tuesday afternoon in Worcester, Mass. The Lancers were led by junior catcher, Abigail Koziol (Lunenburg, Mass.), who hit a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning and finished the game with 5 RBIs. 

The score remained tied through the top of the third, until the Lancers jumped out with two back-to-back 6 run innings in the third and fourth. On the offensive surge, Emily Bartlett (Lowell, Mass.) and Cali Brouillard (Millbury, Mass.) both had two RBIs a piece. Junior shortstop, Emma Lanpher (Charlton, Mass.) and Brouillard both added doubles. 

From the mound, senior pitcher, Emily Bartlett picked up the win allowing just four hits and one run over five innings. Bartlett had a game-high, five strikeouts. Westfield's Katherine Canty and Gianna Conte combined for 4 innings pitched. Canty allowed ten hits and nine runs in three innings, while Conte allowed three hits and three runs in one inning. 

The Owls attempted a comeback in the top of the fifth inning as Jordyn Lummus singled to center field, pushing Abby Clark across home plate, but the Lancers held strong to take the first game, 12-1. 

Final, Game 2

Worcester State: 7, Westfield State: 9

The Worcester State University Lancers opened up scoring in the bottom of the first inning as senior Emily Bartlett (Lowell, MA) sacrificed bunted to send junior Emma Lanpher (Charlton, Mass.) across home plate.  

The Westfield State Owls took the lead in the top of the third as Hannah Wodecki had a two RBI double, that turned into a four-run play on a Lancer error to make the score 4-3, Westfield after three. The Owls would extend the lead to 5-3 in the fifth on a Mia Alfonso hit.  

The Lancers fought back to tie the game over the next two at bats. In the bottom of the 5th, Bartlett hit a RBI double to push Bailey Tammaro home and cut the Owls lead to just one. The Lancers would tie the game on a Morgan Keefe sacrifice fly to send Carisa Andrews home and tie the game at 5-5. 

The game would continue to a defensive standoff through four extra innings, until the top of the eleventh inning when Wodecki singled to left field sending Ciampa home. Hough would follow it up with an RBI to give the Owls the lead. 

Westfield's Stephanie Scoville would hold strong on the mound through the eleventh inning, allowing just one run, giving the owls a 9-7 victory.  

Taylor Coonan and Sarah Gosselin combined for ten innings on the mound for the Lancers. Coonan pitched three innings and two strikeouts, while Gosselin pitched six innings and had three strikeouts. Bartlett pitched the final inning for the Lancers, with one strikeout. 

What is Next:

The Lancers (13-8, 3-1) will have a break in the back to back schedule as they get themselves ready for another conference battle this Saturday as they host Framingham State for two. First pitch is set for 12pm on Saturday, April 13th.