WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Sixth-seeded Worcester State scored two runs in the eighth inning for a 7-5 victory over third-seeded Western New England College in an opening round game of the Eastern College Athletic College (ECAC) Division III New England Softball Championship Thursday (May 13).

Sophomore left fielder Stephanie Mullen (Natick, MA) and sophomore shortstop Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) knocked in the deciding runs in the eighth with a RBI double and run-scoring single, respectively.

Western New England College sent the contest into an extra inning by scoring three runs in the seventh on a run-scoring single by sophomore pitcher Sarah Lempicki (Plantsville, CT) that was followed by a two-run homer by sophomore designated player Rachel Wyrwa (Methuen, MA).

The Golden Bears took a 2-0 lead in the third following a RBI double by senior center fielder Lauren Arsenault (Fitchburg, MA) and a run-producing single by Wyrwa.

The Lancers tallied their first run in the fourth when sophomore Jamie Jacobs (Billerica, MA) hit a sacrifice fly that scored Cordio who led off the inning with a double and move up a base on a sacrifice bunt.

Mullen homered with one-out in the fifth and senior second base player Ashley Loomer (Pepperell, MA) came through with a clutch two-out single to give the visitors a 3-2 lead in the fifth.

Worcester State tacked on two more runs in the seventh when Jacobs delivered a two-run single with two outs for a pair of insurance runs.

Cordio finished going 2-for-2 with two runs and reached base five times after getting three walks. Mullen also had two hits and two runs while Jacobs enjoyed a three RBI day at the plate.

Western New England College had an 11 to 10 advantage in hits with Arsenault going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and runs. Wyrwa had two hits and three RBI. while Lempicki also collected a pair of hits.

WSC junior Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA) went the distance to raise her record to 14-10 after striking out three and walking two.

Lempicki, who took a no-hitter into the fourth, pitched the first seven innings and had four strikeouts with three walks. Sophomore Megan Riemann (Thompson, CT) came in relief in the eighth and saw her record drop to 7-7.

Despite the loss, Western New England College ended the season with a 26-20-1 mark for the program's 11th consecutive winning season.

Worcester State improves to 20-17 and advances to meet second-seeded Lesley at noon Saturday (May 15) in the double elimination portion of the tournament in Keene, New Hampshire.