Baseball Splits MASCAC Twinbill with Worcester

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Behind a seven-hit shutout in six innings by sophomore Corey Batista (Fall River, MA), Bridgewater State defeated Worcester State, 7-0, to draw a split with the visiting Lancers in MASCAC baseball action. Worcester started off the doubleheader by winning the opening game, 1-0, in ten frames.

After this afternoon's twinbill, the Bears now sport a 15-12 record on the season (4-4 MASCAC) while the Blue and Gold move to 19-10 and 6-4 in conference play. The second contest was called  in the middle of the sixth inning due to impending darkness.

The triumph in the nightcap not only ended an eight-game winning streak by the Lancers, it marked the first time in 145 contests that WSU had been blanked. Ironically, the last time it occurred was when former Bridgewater State standout Martin Anderson tossed a two-hit shutout on March 30, 2008. WSU's streak nearly went three full seasons.

In the first game, both starting hurlers put up zeros over nine innings of play in an old fashioned pitcher's duel.

Junior Dave Billotte (Norton, MA) was handed the tough-luck loss as he went 9 2/3 innings allowing the games only run. On 131 pitches, Billotte (1-3) fanned seven and walked two before he was replaced by junior Jim Balboni (Townsend, MA) who got the last out in the tenth.

Sophomore Shaun Slattery (Gardner, MA) earned the win in relief. Slattery would come in the bottom of the ninth, and retire all five men that he would face with three by way of strikeout. Slattery (3-1) now has 35 strikeouts in 23 innings this season.

Senior Chad Kasik (Dudley, MA) got a no-decision as he pitched eight scoreless frames. On 121 pitches, Kasik scattered ten hits, struck out seven men and walked just two batters.

The two squads had several opportunities to capitalize as they both had runners on base in nearly every inning. BSU would strand 11, including six in scoring position. Worcester State left 10 on base, with four who would be left on second.

Bridgewater State's best chance to score came in the bottom of the seventh against a tiring Kasik. The Bears would threaten with the bases loaded, but Kasik induced a fielder's choice to second base to end the inning.

In the top of the tenth with runners on first and second and two outs, sophomore Chris Creen (Worcester, MA) came through in the clutch as he singled in senior Corey McDonald (Hudson, MA) for what would be the contest-clinching run.

BSU actually out-hit Worcester State, 10-9, as second-year Keane Costa (Fairhaven, MA) led the way by going 4-for-4. Junior Joshua Ferreira (Fall River, MA) was also 3-for-4 while sophomore Tyler Dennis (Stoughton, MA) chipped in with two hits – including a double.

Reigning MASCAC Player of the Week, sophomore Nick Gezotis (Westfield, MA) went 3-for-4 as senior Paul Rodriguez (San Antonio, TX) and McDonald both added two hits apiece in the first game.

In the second contest, Batista (4-2) confounded hitters with effective movement on his pitches as he would punch out eight over his six innings of work and issue just one free pass.

The Bears jumped out to an early 4-0 advantage in the top of the first inning by scoring all of their runs with two outs. Dennis highlighted the scoring with a two-run single while Costa and senior Ian Williams (Taunton, MA) both recorded run-producing solo base-hits. 

Two more runs would come across the plate for BSU in the fourth as the hosts took advantage of a botched fielder's choice on a wild throw by the pitcher at second base. Bridgewater State pushed across a pair of unearned runs on an RBI single by Ferreira and a sacrifice fly by Williams.

The final run was scored in the bottom of the fifth for the 7-0 lead on a sac fly by Dennis.

Williams and Costa sparked the offensive effort for the Bears with two hits apiece while the Fluegge and Rodriguez each had two singles each. Dennis had a trio of RBIs.

Sophomore Nick Bolofiglio (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) was tagged with his first loss of the season. Bonofiglio (3-1) went 3 1/3 innings yielding six runs (four earned) on seven hits to go along with five strikeouts and three walks.

Bridgewater State continues to lead the all-time series 53-37.

Both squads return to MASCAC play this Tuesday after the holiday. The Bears will head to Buzzards Bay, MA for a 1 o'clock doubleheader against Mass Maritime while Worcester State plays Fitchburg State as the twinbill is slated for a 2 PM first-pitch.