Softball Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader with Worcester State

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Worcester State University on Saturday evening at Raymond Diamond.

The host Lancers (1-6-1) won the first game, 9-3, while the visiting Bears (2-1-1) earned the split with a 12-7 victory in eight innings in the nightcap.

Game One

In the opener, Worcester State broke open a 4-2 game with a five-run fourth inning en route to the 9-3 victory.

The Lancers banged out 12 hits in the contest led by two hits apiece from Emily Bartlett (Lowell, Mass.), Ally Tocman (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and Rachel Bigelow (Westborough, Mass.). Bartlett rapped a two-run double and Tocman added an RBI double in the key fourth inning. All five runs in the frame were unearned as a result of a BSU error and dropped third strike.

Bartlett also picked up the win in the circle for the hosts as she worked the first five innings allowing three runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Jen Thorburn (Groton, Mass.) tossed two scoreless innings of relief giving up a hit and a walk.

Madison Synan (Quincy, Mass.) and Madison Dana (Lynn, Mass.) each homered for the first time this season to highlight the Bridgewater State offense in game one. For Dana, the home run also marked the first of her collegiate career. Madelyn Klingel (Windsor, Conn.) went 2-for-4 with an RBI single to pace the Bears' six-hit attack.

Kelly Reichert (Milford, Mass.) gave up four runs on four hits in two-plus innings of work in the setback for the Bears. Reichert walked two and fanned two. Laura Hatch (Middleboro, Mass.) allowed five unearned runs on eight hits in four innings of relief. Hatch did not issue a walk and struck out two.

Game Two

Game two went into extra innings before the Bears pushed across seven runs in the top of the eighth inning to pull away for the 12-7 win.

Seven different Bears finished with multiple hits in the nightcap.

Kerrin McLaughlin (Haverhill, Mass.) went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, three runs and three RBI. McLaughlin homered for the second time this season and also added a two-run triple in the fourth inning which at the time gave the visitors a 5-4 lead.

Synan registered two hits in five at bats including a three-run homer in the seven-run eighth inning. The home run marked the sixth of Synan's career.

Emma Healy (Plymouth, Mass.) and Megan Sharon (East Longmeadow, Mass.) paced the Bears' 16-hit attack with three hits apiece. Healy went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs and an RBI, while Sharon was 3-for-5 at the plate. Healy connected for an RBI double in the eighth.

Klingel (2-for-5, 2R), Morgan Cournoyer (Burrillville, R.I.) and Kim Scanlon (Medford, Mass.) also finished with multiple hits in game two. Cournoyer went 2-for-4, while Scanlon finished 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Scanlon singled home the first run of the decisive eighth inning.

Rachel Sinclair (Westminster, Mass.) went 3-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs to lead the way for Worcester State. Sinclair's RBI single in the bottom of the fifth knotted the score at 5-5 and ultimately sent the game into extra innings. Grace Adams (Leominster, Mass.) and Lauren Dube (Leominster, Mass.) also recorded multiple hits for the Lancers in the nightcap. Adams went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI, while Dube went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

Reichert gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits in five innings of relief to pick up the win for the Bears. Reichert (2-1) did not issue a walk and fanned five. Klingel got the start in the circle for the hosts and allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits with a walk.

Thorburn (0-3) gave up 12 runs (nine earned) on 16 hits in 7 1/3 innings of work for Worcester State. She walked two and struck out four.

Up Next: The 2021 schedule continues for both teams next week. Bridgewater State travels to MCLA on Friday, April 2nd with game one of the MASCAC twinbill getting underway at 2:00 PM. Worcester State heads to Salem State University on Thursday, April 1st for pair of conference games with the Vikings starting at 5:00 PM.