Lancers Clip Owls in Series Opener, 2-1

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore right hander Andre Phaneuf (Westfield, Mass.) struck out eight over 6.2 innings for Westfield State which dropped a 2-1 road game at MASCAC opponent Worcester State in game one of a three game series on Friday.

The Owls suffer their second conference loss to begin league play, falling to 0-2 in the conference and 3-12 overall while the Lancers advance to 3-8 on the season and 1-0 in the MASCAC.

A pitcher's duel unfolded between Phaneuf and Lancers' ace Gavin Price as a combined three players reached base through the first three innings. The difference in the game came in the fourth inning where Riggs Catlin led off the frame with a single followed by a two-run home run by Alan Carpenter which gave the Lancers a 2-0 lead through four innings. Carpenter's homer was the lone extra base hit tallied for either side.

Westfield's first runner to reach scoring position came in the fifth inning on a Worcester error which led to TJ May (North Granby, Conn.) reaching second base with two outs, but the Owls were unable to bring him home.

In the sixth inning, Alex Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) led off the inning with a single to right field and after a pair of outs, Chase Racine (Pittsfield, Mass.) connected for a single, but the umpires declared the ball hit Sam Palmer (Medfield, Mass.), who reached on a fielder's choice, on the basepath, ending the frame.

Phaneuf gave the Owls an opportunity to rally late, stranding two runners on in the sixth after forcing a pop up in the infield, again providing length with another quality start.

Colin Ryan (Chelmsford, Mass.) led off the seventh with a single to right, then stole second. After a pair of outs, Connor Benvenuto (New City, N.Y.) provided a two-out hit, driving in Ryan on a single right, advancing up to second on the throw. Price was able to hold the Owls from adding another run with his seventh strikeout of the afternoon, which would be his final out of the day.

Benvenuto reached base twice in the game with a single and a walk.

The Owls final six batters were retired in the eighth and ninth innings with Zachary Scotti recording two outs in the eighth before turning the game over to Matt Direnzo who collected a four-out save.

Phaneuf took a hard-fought loss on the hill, continuing to build off his past outing where he held #29 Montclair State to just one run over seven innings last Friday. Today, he gave up two runs on six hits over 6.2 innings, walking two while striking out eight.

Price secured his first win of the season, holding the Owls bats down after tossing seven innings, allowing one run on five hits with one walk and seven punchouts.

Westfield State and Worcester State will resume the series on Sunday as part of a doubleheader from Bud and Jim Hagan Field in Westfield, Mass. beginning at 12:00 P.M.