Vikings, Lancers Spilt Twin Bill

SALEM, Mass. -- Brock Pare pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits with five strikeouts to lead Salem State, who were designated as the visiting team, to a 3-1 win over Worcester State in game one of their re-scheduled MASCAC doubleheader at The Central Campus Baseball Field on Sunday. Chris Ausiello's first inning, three-run home run jump started the Lancers' offense in game two as Worcester State came back to earn a split with a 9-3 win. The Lancers are now 6-11 on the season and improve to 2-1 in conference. The Vikings are now 3-13 and 1-2 in the MASCAC.

Game 1

Devin Fuegen's line drive single to right  scored Brahiam Ortega from third with the game's first run in the top of the first inning. Worcester State threatened in the bottom of the first as Tyler Smith and Tom Halliwell led off with back-to-back singles. However, Pare picked off lead-off hitter Smith off second and after a walk, induced two groundball outs to work out of the jam. Pare struck out the side in the second, as the senior retired six in a row before hitting Smith with one out in the third.

TJ Beninati hit a one-out single to right and following a passed ball, scored on a throwing error by the shortstop. Ortega then drove in Derek Angell with Salem State's third run. Singles by Zack Roberts and Smith in the bottom of the fifth led to a double to deep right by Halliwell, which drove in Roberts with the Lancers first run. A hit batter loaded the bases for Worcester State, but Pare once again worked out of trouble as Worcester State left the bases full.

Lancers starter Cole Glassburn allowed three runs - one earned on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks before being relieved by Brett Bucklin in the top of the sixth.

Jake Boucher pitched a scoreless ninth, earning his second save of the season. Ortega finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored for Salem State.

Game 2

Ortega led-off game two with a triple to deep center. Jake Boucher's one-out double to the warning track in right gave Salem State a 1-0 advantage. The lead did not last long as a walk and hit batter put two runners on for the Lancers in the bottom of the first, setting up Ausiello, who delivered a three-run home run to right, giving Worcester State a 3-1 lead.  

The Vikings added a run in the second as Owen Duggan was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and a single by Angell put runners on the corners, TJ Beninati worked a walk as the pitch got past the catcher allowing Duggan to score. Two errors by Salem State, including a four base error by the centerfielder allowed two unearned runs to score as Worcetser State increased their lead to 5-2 in the second.

Fuegen doubled in EJ Field, who was hit by a pitch in the top of the third as Salem State drew to within 5-3. However, a double to right center by Roberts made it 6-3 before Haliwelll made it a four-run game with an RBI single to right. Alex Sorenti-Burns increased the lead to 9-3 with a two-run single to center as the Lancers plated four runs in the inning.

Starter Mason Consigli went 2.2 innings for Salem State and was charged with seven runs -- two earned on five hits with a walk and strikeout. Kyle Banche came on in relief and allowed an earned run on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk in 3.1 innings.

Kevin Zarnoch Jr. picked up the win, pitching five innings for Worcester State, allowing three runs -- two earned on five hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks before being replaced by Jarret  Morrill in the sixth, who pitched two scoreless innings.

Roberts went 3-for-3 for the Lancers in game two with a run and RBI while Halliwell scored three runs with a double in four at-bats. Fuegen finished 2-for-3 with an RBI for Salem State.