Posted: Apr 25, 2015
MCLA Swept in Key Double Header with Lancers
MCLA and Worcester State met today in softball with the regular season title on the line and the chance to host the MASCAC tournament throughout.
Both games were tight with pitching controlling the offenses.
In game one Worcester (21-9, 11-3) scratched out a run in the top of the first off MCLA starter Rachel Quackenbush. Sara Pelletier led off the game with a single to left and went to second when Alexandra Romano bobbled the ball. Pelletier was sacrificed to third and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Courtney Salisbury.
That would be all Worcester State starter Meghan Rich needed as she tossed a shutout, allowing five hits and walking just one.
Pelletier and Salisbury would create problems for MCLA again in the fifth. Pelletier led off with a single and stole second and scored on a Salisbury double for a 2-0 Lancers lead.
MCLA's best chance came in the bottom of the second when Angelica Perfido singled and Sierra Bailey was hit by a pitch with one out. However, Rich struck-out Julie Watson and induced a ground ball to second off the bat of Amanda Meczywor.
The Trailblazers (11-17, 8-4) fell by a score of 3-0. Rich moved to 14-2 with the game one victory. Quackenbush fell to 6-6. She went the distance allowing six hits and three runs (one earned); she struck-out six.
It was déjà vu in game two as Pelletier got Worcester State off to a fast start in the first. Pelletier would again lead off the game with a single and reached second base with two outs. She would score on a Hayley Terry double off Meczywor.
Meczywor wouldn't allow another run the rest of the way as she kept her team in the game. The story of the day was Rich though as she threw her second shutout of the day.
MCLA could only muster five singles in game two. The Trailblazers put a couple runners on in the bottom of the sixth, but Abigail Lucas and Jennifer Sicinski both popped up to leave Romano and Meczywor stranded.
Rich is now 15-2 on the year as Worcester State clinched the regular season MASCAC title. Meczywor falls to 5-8 on the mound.
Michaela DiNicola reached base three times versus Rich on the afternoon.
Worcester State will travel to Trinity on Monday at 3:30 PM. MCLA will be back in action tomorrow at 1:00 PM as they wrap up their conference schedule versus Salem State. A split tomorrow will give MCLA a second place finish in the league and guarantee a first round bye in the MASCAC tournament next week.