Framingham, MA --- Worcester State and Framingham State split a doubleheader series at the Maple Street Field this afternoon in MASCAC baseball action.
The Rams (17-10, 6-4 MASCAC) sophomore Mike Andrews (Stoneham, MA) tossed a gem to pace the hosts to a 6-2 victory in the opener before the Lancers (19-12, 6-2 MASCAC) rallied for a 5-4 comeback nightcap triumph.
Trailing 4-2 and two outs in the top of seventh, senior David Ruggiero (Peabody, MA) helped score classmate JD Salinas (Fredericksburg, TX), when he reached on an error by the shortstop.
Senior Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA) followed with an RBI single to right center and senior Jeff Bolio capped off the frame inducing a bunt single to the pitcher, to score Ruggiero after a wide throw by the pitcher.
Sophomore reliever Tyler Barrie (Oxford, MA) permitted an infield single to the second batter he saw of the bottom of the same frame, but he spun a double play to end it as he picked up his second collegiate save.
Framingham State originally staked the 3-0 advantage as the bottom of the first was underscored by a two-run blast by senior Mark Mainini (Hull, MA) and a sacrifice fly by freshman Jordan Pallazola (Rockport, MA).
Sophomore Adam Barry (Auburn, MA/St. Peter Marian) made it a one-run ball game in the top of the fifth on a two-run single up the middle, plating senior Zach George (Attleboro, MA) and sophomore Brian Bonacquisti (Pittsfield, MA).
But the Rams tacked on one more tally in the top of the sixth on a solo blast by senior Ivan Colon (Waltham, MA) before the Lancers staged their seventh inning uprising.
Senior Joe Perlak (Chicopee, MA) earned the victory on the hill for WSU. Perlak (5-1) allowed four earned runs on six hits to go with six strikeouts and two hit batters.
Senior Zack Kirby (Rochester, MA) fanned 12 in his complete game effort as he gave up five runs (two earned) on eight base-knocks. Kirby (4-2) also issued three free passes.
The Blue and Gold outhit their opponents, 5-4, as Barry and Osburn both had two safeties each and senior John Gill (Hudson, MA) registered two of his own to pace the Rams.
The Lancers had problems solving Andrews in the opener as he spun a two-hitter with a pair of strikeouts and two walks to raise his overall record to 3-3.
After Ryan drove in George, who stretched out his third triple of the campaign to lead off the game, Framingham State took over the 2-1 edge in the bottom of the first. Gill crossed home plate on a fielder's choice and Mainini scored on a wild pitch.
Andrews then tossed three scoreless frames before Bolio tied up the score with a solo home run for his team-leading third of the campaign. The right-hander, however, shrugged off the mistake he threw and he set down nine of his last ten batters to finish off the contest.
The Rams also rallied for four scores in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Billy Desrosier (Shrewsbury, MA/Holy Name), classmate Kevin Driscoll (Chelmsford, MA) and junior RJ Gray (Lowell, MA) all had run producing plate appearances to give the hosts a 6-2 margin they did not relinquish.
Senior Kris Doyle (Millbury, MA) absorbed the loss for the Lancers. Doyle (2-3) yielded six runs (four earned on three hits to go with seven walks and eight strikeouts. Classmate Michael Ivas (Princeton, MA/Holy Name) got out of the fifth and he added another scoreless frame to keep Framingham State off the board in the sixth.
There were no multi-hitters for either side as the Rams led in the category, 4-2.
Both squads continue MASCAC play on Marathon Monday. Worcester State entertains Salem State in a key conference series while Framigham State looks to keep pace when they travel to Mass Maritime.