Neidel, Florence Mash Home Runs, Owls Split Doubleheader with Worcester

WESTFIELD, Mass. – A six-run second inning capped by a Justin Neidel (Attleboro, Mass.) three-run home run powered Westfield to an 11-2 game two victory over Worcester State as the two teams would split a doubleheader set of MASCAC games on Sunday afternoon from Hagan Field in Westfield, Mass.

Ryan Lapierre (Westfield, Mass.) tossed six dominant innings for Westfield in game two, cruising to a game two victory 11-2. The Lancers took game one of the series, 7-4, behind a strong pitching performance by senior Ben Smith (Bourne, Mass.) who fanned 11 Owls batters in seven frames of work.

The Owls own a 15-6 overall record and a 4-1 mark in the MASCAC. The Lancers sit at 4-12 on the year and 3-2 in the conference. The Owls served as the designated visiting team for both games as the doubleheader was originally scheduled to be held at Worcester State University.

GAME 2

After a relatively quiet offensive output in game one, the Owls' bats heated up in game two, scoring six runs in the second inning to open up a 6-0 advantage. With one out and the bases loaded, John Bessette (Andover, Mass.) drew a walk to plate Westfield's first run of the contest.

A fielder's choice RBI from Alex Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) followed by a run-scoring single from Sam Palmer (Medfield, Mass.) set up Neidel for a damaging three-run homer, clearing the right field fence to tack on three additional runs in the frame.

The Owls scored once in the third, fourth, and fifth innings with a towering solo blast from Nolan Florence (Chicopee, Mass.) in the third inning extending the Westfield lead to seven runs. Neidel and Palmer both grabbed an RBI in the later innings, pushing Westfield's to nine runs after five innings.

Lapierre held the Lancers hitless through the opening 4.2 innings before an infield single from Ryan Jewett broke up the no-hit bid in the fifth. In the sixth inning, Joe Auger (Lowell, Mass.) put Worcester in the scoring column with a two-run single through the left side of the infield, but that was all the Lancers could muster off of Lapierre.

Consecutive run-scoring singles from Martin and Palmer drove the Owls run total into double figures for the sixth time on the year.

Lapierre (W, 5-0) has won all five starts on the season, tossing six frames, allowing two runs on three hits, walking one and striking out eight. Jarrett Morrill (Chelmsford, Mass.) got the start in game two for the Lancers, covering the first two innings, allowing six runs on four hits with two walks, taking the loss on the afternoon.

GAME 1

Early offense and a stellar pitching performance by Smith staked Worcester with a six-run advantage after two innings in game one.

A failed pickoff attempt from the Owls led to the Lancers' first run of the game, then in the second frame, five more runs came across to score with Jeremy DeLacruz (Lowell, Mass.) and Tom Halliwell (Leominster, Mass.) delivering run-scoring doubles. Anthony Iamarone (Providence, R.I.) continued the rally with a two-RBI single into left field, opening up a 6-0 lead through two innings.

The Owls cut the deficit in half in the top half of the third with Palmer grounding out to second to score the team's first run. Then with two outs in the frame, Sean Clark (Dudley, Mass.) ripped a two-RBI double off the left field wall, making it a 6-3 contest.

DeLacruz got one run back for Worcester in the ensuing bottom half on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 7-3.

Smith (W, 1-2) limited the Owls to just four hits in game one, racking up 11 strikeouts in a complete-game performance for the lefthander. He allowed four runs and also walked two. In the sixth inning, Smith prevented a potential comeback inning from Westfield, allowing one run after a leadoff double, striking out three in the frame. He retired Westfield in order in the seventh to wrap up the win.

Senior Ryan Donahue (Medfield, Mass.) got the start for the Owls in game one, taking the loss after giving up seven runs (four earned) on six hits. He walked one and fanned five in the outing.

Westfield State and Worcester State will meet for the rubber match of the season series on Tuesday at 3:00 P.M. at Worcester State where the Owls will serve as the designated home team for the nine-inning affair.