Baseball Splits MASCAC Doubleheader with Worcester State

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State and Worcester State split a twinbill this afternoon at Alumni Park in MASCAC baseball action.

Sophomore Ben Libuda (Auburn, MA) tossed a six-hitter in a 4-1 triumph for the Lancers in the opener before the Bears were paced by senior Trevor Lawson (Easton, MA) who went 3-for-3 with the game-winning RBI in a 3-1 nightcap victory.

With the win and the loss BSU moves to 14-10-1 (5-3 MASCAC) while the Blue and Gold are now 12-14 (4-4 MASCAC).

In the first game, Worcester State snapped a scoreless game with a four runs in the top of the fifth. Sophomore David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) tripled in freshman Dennis Duplessis (Marlboro, MA), who reached on a double, before sophomore Steve Wallace (Auburn, MA) and third-year Dan Ubele (Tyngsboro, MA) chipped in with RBI's to cap off the rally.

Bridgewater State came right back and scored a run in the bottom of the fifth when senior John Garabedian (Mansfield, MA) scampered home on a misplayed ball by the right fielder. Following a walk that put runners on the corners, Libuda ended the threat with a strikeout.

Libuda (2-1) went the distance – striking out the side in the sixth – giving up just one more hit in the seventh. In addition to yielding one earned run, he finished with seven strikeouts, gave up two walks and plunked one batter.

Junior Andy Sadoski (Harwich, MA) shouldered the setback for the Bears. Sadoski (3-4) went 4 2/3 innings giving up four runs on eight hits to go along with two free passes and one punchout.

Freshman David Holmes (Easton, MA) finished the game for Bridgewater State, scattered two base-knocks and fanned a trio of batters in his 2 1/3 scoreless frames of work.

For the Lancers, junior Rob MacDonald (Waltham, MA) was 3-for-3 while Ruggiero and Duplessis both chipped in with two hits each.

Senior Sean Riley (Fairhaven, MA) had two of Bridgewater State's six safties in the first game.

The Bears took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second in the second contest on an RBI ground-out by senior Jose Polanco (Lawrence, MA).

Worcester State responded and equalized the score 1-1 in the top of the third on a balk, but left the go-ahead run when freshman Shane Surette (Haverhill, MA) notched a big strikeout.

Lawson helped Bridgewater State take the 2-1 lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. Senior David Pierce (E. Bridgewater, MA) led off the frame with an infield single and moved to second on sacrifice. Lawson then rapped out a single up the middle to score Pierce.

After leaving the bases juiced in the fifth, the hosts added an insurance run in the very next inning on a run producing base-knock to the pitcher by sophomore Sean Brooks (Braintree, MA).

Holmes came into the game and tossed a scoreless top of the seventh to pick up his first career save.

Surette (1-0) surrendered one earned run and scattered three hits in his six innings of work. He also rung up five on strikes and issued two free passes.

Sophomore Jared Kuzio (Franklin, MA) was dealt the setback for Worcester State. Kuzio (1-2) allowed three earned runs on eight base-knocks as he struck out a pair of batters and gave up one walk.

Pierce and Brooks registered two hits in the second game for the Bears while freshman Brandon Hoyle (Bridgewater, MA) was 2-for-3 in the setback.

Both squads will play non-conference opponents at home in the next week at 3:30. Worcester State takes on WPI with the Engineers as the home team at the Lyons Diamond on Tuesday as Bridgewater State hosts UMass Dartmouth on Thursday.

Notes: Garabedian tied Brian Desantes (1994-97) program mark for career games played with 151...Garabedian has started and played in every game for the Bears during his four seasons.