AMCATS drop two to Lancers on a rainy Senior Day

Paxton, Mass. (04.28.11) – Worcester Sate University's Michaella Mahoney drove in four runs and pitched a complete-game shutout to lead the Lancers to a sweep of the Anna Maria AMCATS in a drizzly Thursday afternoon doubleheader in Paxton on Senior Day. Worcester State took game one by a score of 21-0 in five innings and scored five runs in the fifth inning to win game two 8-3. The Lancers improve to 23-9 on the year, while the AMCATS conclude their season at 15-23.

Seniors Sarah Boyda (Oxford, Mass.), Allyssa Boykin (Worcester, Mass.), Emily Nugent (Worcester, Mass.), Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, Mass.), Jill Hurley (Oxford, Mass.) and Dominique Marchand (Mendon, Mass.) were honored in between games for their contributions to the program during their career. Boyda finishes her career as Anna Maria's all-time leader in runs, stolen bases, and walks, while also ranking second in hits. She set the program's single season marks for hits, runs, and steals, was named the AMC Female Athlete of the Year twice, and was selected as the 2010 TCCC Softball Player of the Year. Boykin also enjoyed a fine career, finishing second in the program's history in doubles, while Hurley ranks third in runs batted in. Nugent has been a three-sport athlete over the past four years and was selected as the 2008 AMC Female Athlete of the Year, while Marchand was a four-year varsity member who made 125 starts in 134 games. Hackenson was a member of the program for three seasons and enjoyed a career highlight this season when she tossed a no-hitter versus Elms. These players will be remembered for all they have given to the AMC Athletic Department as well as all of their accomplishments on the field, including leading the AMCATS to a program-record 22 wins during the 2010 season.

Worcester State stormed out of the gates in first inning, as shortstop Erica Cordio led-off the game with a double down the left-field line. After the next batter was hit by a pitch, Aimee Lamoureux laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over into scoring position.  Consecutive walks and a wild pitch pushed the first two runs across for Worcester State.  Another walk and two hits batters led to two more runs for the visitors before Michelle Blackler was called upon to induce a pop-up to Sarah Boyda and a fly-out to Kayla Cummings to end the inning. 

After the AMCATS went down in order in bottom-half of the first, Worcester State added four more runs in the second on RBI doubles by Aimee Lamoureux and Alex Kerr and an RBI single to left from Lauren Besozzi. 

An eight run cushion was more then enough for pitcher Michaella Mahoney, as she struck out four AMCATS through the first three innings without letting up a hit.

Mary Moroski (Worcester, Mass.) broke up the potential perfect game bid with a single to leftfield to start the fourth inning. Mahoney bounced back to strike out the next two Anna Maria hitters, before relinquishing a two out single to Jill Hurley.  Mahoney then retired the last AMCAT on a grounder to shortstop. 

Worcester State broke open the game in the fourth and fifth innings, as they tacked on a combined nine runs in the two frames. Lamoureux added an RBI double and single in the two frames while Mahoney also added a pair of RBI singles.  Pinch hitter Hillary Hart also had a fine game, adding a double and a three-run blast to deep centerfield over the two-inning outburst.   

Mahoney closed the game out with authority in the fifth, striking out the side to preserve the shutout and close out the 21-0 victory for the visitors.

Game two was a pitchers duel through the first four frames.  Worcester State struck first with five runs in the top of the fifth. Consecutive walks to Kylene Pease and Erica Cordio and a bunt hit by Ashley Howe loaded the bases for catcher Aimee Lamoureux. Lamoureux proceeded to clear the bases with a triple to left-center field. Designated hitter Michaella Mahoney drove in Lamoureux with an RBI single to center. After Mahoney stole second-base, Hackenson was able to bear down and retire the next two hitters. Mahoney eventually came around to score on a two-out wild pitch to cap off a five-run fifth inning for the Lancers. 

The AMCATS refused to go quietly, as Michelle Blacker led off the bottom fifth with a single to left-field. After the next batter struck-out, slugger Mary Moroski continued her power surge with a two-run bomb to leftfield.  With two outs in the inning, Allyssa Boykin was hit by a pitch and came around to score on an RBI double to left-center by Hurley to cut the Lancer lead to 5-3.

Both teams went scoreless in the sixth inning before Worcester State struck again in the top of the seventh.  Mahoney led off the seventh with a solo home run to centerfield. With one out in the inning, Jaime Jacobs and Lauren Besozzi reached on a walk and single, respectively. Hackenson retired the next batter on a pop-up to second base, before surrendering a two-run double by Pease to cap a three-run seventh and push the lead to 8-3.

Game one starting pitcher Michaella Mahoney came on to pitch the bottom seventh inning and sealed the victory with a 1-2-3 final frame.   

Aimee Lamoureux finished the day with six hits and six RBI, while Michael Mahoney added four hits, a homerun and four RBI.  Kylene Pease and Ashley Howe also had fine days at the dish, as Pease added four hits and six RBI, while Howe finished 5-for-6. 

Anna Maria was paced by Mary Moroski (two hits, home run two RBI) and Jill Hurley (two hits, RBI double). 

Release Courtesy of Jeffrey S. Lander for AMC Sports Information

Photo Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information