Baseball Can’t Hold On, Drop Series Finale to Worcester

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Worcester State rallied from a three-run deficit in the top of the ninth inning to take the rubber match of the three game series with MCLA this afternoon, 7-6, at Joe Wolfe Field in the Trailblazers'  MASCAC home opener.

THE BASICS:

• Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2024
• Score: Worcester State 7, MCLA 6
• Records: Worcester State Lancers 3-11 (MASCAC 2-1) | MCLA Trailblazers 4-12 (MASCAC 1-2)

HOW IT WENT DOWN

• William Walsh gave MCLA the first lead of the day, scoring Ty Mazzeo on an RBI single to rightfield after Mazzeo had reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and advanced to third when the catcher's throw had gone into centerfield.
• The Trailblazers added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning by repeating the process that scored the first run. This time it was Matt Damon who reached on a fielder's choice and stole second base. After advancing to third base on Edison Galan's groundout, Clarence Givhans brought him home with a double into right field. Jayco Pena then scored Givhans with an RBI single into left field.
• In the top of the next inning, Worcester State rallied to even the score at three all, scoring three runs on five hits. Despite entering with the bases loaded, only one out and two runs already in, Garrett Brunette got MCLA back to their dugout with the game tied while the Lancers left the bases loaded.
• Walsh put the Trailblazers back in front with his second RBI single of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Ty Mazzeo led of the inning with a walk, pinch hitter Josh Bologh's infield single put runners on the corners. TJ Platt pinch ran for Bologh and proceeded to steal second before Walsh singled to right for his second RBI of the game. The right fielder's throw attempt to throw out Mazzeo at home bounced in the dirt and got past the catcher, allowing Platt to score and moving Walsh to second. Matt Damon then hit an infield single to the shortstop, but the throw was wide of the bag, allowing Walsh to score.
• The Lancers responded in the top of the ninth inning, making the most of two MCLA errors to score four runs on only three hits.
• Franklin Sierra entered in the eighth inning after MCLA had scored their three runs, and stopped the bleeding to be in position for his first win of the season, improving to 1-0. Zachary Scotti pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first save of the year, while Clarence Givhans took the loss to drop to 0-1.

UP NEXT:

On Friday, MCLA will be back in action when they travel to Framingham State for a MASCAC matchup with the Rams at Bowditch Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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