Courtesy Worcester State Sports Information

Springfield, MA --- Sixth-seeded Worcester State scored two runs in the eighth inning for a 7-5 victory over third-seeded Western New England College in an opening round game of the Eastern College Athletic College (ECAC) Division III New England Championship this afternoon.

With the win the Lancers improve to 20-17 while WNEC ends their season at 26-20-1. The Blue and Gold head to Keene State to play second seeded Lesley University in the double-elimination semifinals on Saturday at 12 PM. The winner or loser will play later on that afternoon against either #5 Bridgewater State or the top seeded Owls.

"Together we are strong," said second-year head coach Jen Kapenas after their first ECAC triumph since 1997. "(When things got tough) I was especially proud of how composed we were throughout the seventh and eighth innings."

Sophomore Stephanie Mullen (Natick, MA) and classmate Erica Cordio (Leominster, MA) knocked in the deciding runs in the eighth with a RBI double and run-scoring single, respectively. After WSC took a 7-5 advantage into the eighth, junior Michaella Mahoney (Shrewsbury, MA) hurled a scoreless eighth frame to preserve the triumph.

Trailing by three entering the bottom of the seventh, Western New England College sent the contest into an extra innings by scoring three runs starting with a run-scoring single by sophomore Sarah Lempicki (Plantsville, CT) that was followed by a two-run homer by sophomore Rachel Wyrwa (Methuen, MA). But Mahoney soon ended the threat of a runner on second with a pair of outs to end the inning.

The Golden Bears took the early 2-0 lead in the third following a RBI double by senior center fielder Lauren Arsenault (Fitchburg, MA) and a run-producing single by Wyrwa.

The Lancers tallied their first run in the fourth when sophomore Jamie Jacobs (Billerica, MA) hit a sacrifice fly that scored Cordio who led off the inning with a double and move up a base on a sacrifice bunt.

Mullen homered with one-out in the fifth and senior Ashley Loomer (Pepperell, MA) came through with a clutch two-out single to give the visitors a 3-2 lead in the fifth.

Worcester State tacked on two more runs in the seventh when Jacobs delivered a two-run single with two outs for a pair of insurance runs for the 5-2 edge in the top of the seventh. That was before WNEC rallied for three runs to answer in the bottom of the inning.

Cordio finished going 2-for-2 with two runs an reached base five times after getting three walks. Mullen also had two hits and two runs while Jacobs enjoyed a three RBI day at the plate.

Western New England College had an 11 to 10 advantage in hits with Arsenault going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and runs. Wyrwa had two hits and three RBI while Lempicki also collected a pair of hits.

Mahoney went the distance to raise her record to 14-10 after striking out three and walking two.

Lempicki, who took a no-hitter into the fourth, pitched the first seven innings and had four strikeouts with three walks. Sophomore Megan Riemann (Thompson, CT) (7-7) came in relief in the eighth and took the loss.