Worcester, MA- The April 2nd Pink Out Game for the Lancers saw the second home game and the first in a conference clash between the Worcester State Lancers and the Salem State Vikings. Both teams came into this clash looking to win at least one game in the 2 game series. The first match began at 1 in the afternoon with winds that could help carry a ball and a cool temperature was the environment.
The Vikings began the early innings well with solid overall hitting which saw them take an early 1-0 lead. The Lancers went 3 and out but it was not the trend for the overall match. The Lancers saw their first on-base action in the second inning with first year Bella Gasbarro(Leominster, MA) walking. After the Gasbarro walk, the Lancers were unfortunate to not see their first hit after the Viking's center fielder made a spectacular catch. First year Bailey Tammaro(Fitchburg, MA) recorded the first hit for the Lancers with a blooper falling right over the 3rd baseman's head. The Lancers then doubled up and saw one run brought in to equalize the score. A small rally began and first year Emma Lapoint (Westfield, MA) and junior Lauren Dube (Leominster, MA) saw three runs brought in to bring the score to 4-1into the top of the 3rd.
Salem State had a quick three-and-out of their own. After two quick outs, the Lancers saw a hit in the inning with a line drive double to the left field. Unfortunately, that was the last of the offensive output and a pop fly to the right field ended the 3rd inning.
The fourth inning saw pitcher junior Emily Bartlett (Lowell, MA) record her third strikeout. With a runner on first with two outs, she added to her strikeout tally. WIth the Lancers back up to bat, they recorded a single the Lancers put in first year Carissa Andrews (Medford MA) to serve as a pinch runner. A ground ball to 1st saw the inning end and heading into the fourth the Lancers still maintained their 3-run advantage.
The Vikings saw their second three and out and the Lancer's defense continued their strong performance. The Lancers managed to add another tally to their scoreboard after having a runner in scoring position tag up on a pop fly into center field. Three hits were seen that inning as the Lancers surpassed the 10-hit mark.
The Vikings saw a potential hit thwarted because of the efforts of sophomore Emma Lampher (Charlton, MA) having a Jeter-like over-the-shoulder catch. Dube saw another hit recorded after sending a well-placed center-field ball. She was one of the more productive offensive threats for the Lancers this game. The Lancers held their lead going into a crucial 7th inning.
The Vikings made two hitting changes to try and see some more runners on the bases. These efforts were not fruitful and the Lancers maintained their 4-run lead to win the first match in the series 5-1. A game with very few errors and good pitching was put on display.
The next game began after a quick intermission period. Both teams exchanged scoreless innings with very mundane offensive outputs from the top of each line-up. There was a small bit of controversy as the Lancers managed to pick off a Viking while they were in a scoring position to close out the inning. The second inning saw the Vikings manage to get runners at first and second and third after two singles and one walk were recorded. With two outs on the table, senior Jen Thorburn (Groton, MA) managed to close out the inning recording a 4 pitch strikeout.
The bottom of the 2nd saw a quick single after an initial strike at the beginning of the pitch count. A center-field error saw runners move to first and second. A successful bunt attempt saw the bases get loaded with 0 outs being recorded. 2 runners were brought in after a line drive that split the third and short basemen. Runners advanced to second and third and one more run was brought in after a pop-up into the left field avoided the outfield players. The inning ended with a ground out but a productive inning compared to a three and out in the first inning.
The top of the third saw an error result in the runner advancing to first. That runner's appearance on the bases was short-lived after a miscommunication on a dropped third strike resulted in two runners being picked off. With two outs on the board, the Vikings were optimistic for another player to find their way to the bases but an infield pop fly made those dreams irrelevant. The bottom of the inning saw Lapoint get on base early as the lead-off of the inning after nailing a line drive at the pitcher, who was just able to get her glove up in time to limit harm. Next batter, first year Morgan Keefe (Dracut, MA) capitalized on an error by the Vikings to find herself at second sending Lapoint to third. Sinclair then came up with a single that sent Lapoint back to the dugout and runners on first and third with no outs yet recorded. Gasbarro stepped up with one out and nailed a triple deep over the right fielder's head to bring two more runs across and a 6-0 lead. First year Jayden Kelly (Tynsgboro, MA) nailed a single through the gap into centerfield sending home Tammaro who beat the throw, the throw which also allowed Kelly to advance to second and found the Lancers now up 8-0 and looking to wrap up this game early.
Going into the fifth inning the Vikings needed to score at least one more run to avoid the mercy rule. Salem managed to achieve this by hitting a single home run to make the scoreline 8-1. After this homer, the Vikings saw two more players make an on-base appearance. A pop-out to third which also the runner at the first attempt to tag up and record a double play ended the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth all the Lancers needed to do to leave early was find a way to score another run. An early center-field line drive saw a runner advance to second. Senior Jacqui Schwalm (Billerica, MA) was brought in as a pinch runner. She managed to clinch the win as the next at bat sent the ball into the gap for a double for run number nine and a shortened, 5-inning game concluded.
This now puts the Lancers at (12-8, 2-0) and they are back in action tomorrow as they host Anna Maria College in a 4pm/6pm double header battle.