Worcester State Out Slugs Endicott: 11-6
April 6, 2004
(Worcester, MA) In a non-conference match up between the Gulls and Worcester State College, the home team, Lancers, had too much fire-power for Endicott to overcome. Despite a good offensive day (12 hits; 6 for extra bases) for Endicott, Worcester had an even better day ripping 17 hits with 6 for extra bases. The game was played at Clark University because of wet conditions at Worcester's usual home: Tivnan Field at Lake Park.
The top of first looked promising for Endicott as Steve Vidmosko doubled to open the game and Dave Babiarz followed with a single off the pitcher's glove. Unfortunately Vidmosko could not advance to third as the ball caromed directly to the shortstop. Mike Lucas bunted the runners up and that's where they stayed as Greg Allain struck out and Vidmosko got caught wandering too far off third. Worcester answered with an unearned run in the bottom of the first off a walk, an error and no hits. Bob Mondalto walked. He was running on the pitch when Jeff Wood hit a slow roller to third. After the out at first Mondalto went to third and drew an errant throw from EC first baseman, Greg Allain. Mondalto scored on the play.
After a quiet EC second, Worcester got one more on an infield single from Zak Attaway, a line-drive single from Kyle Oksanish, and a Texas-leaguer to center from Tom Shea to score Attaway. Endicott starter, Jon Trowt, took some life out of the Lancers by picking off Shea at 1st with Allain coming in from behind to make the tag.
Endicott evened the score in third when Dustin Aiguier singled. He was replaced at first on a fielder's choice from Vidmosko. Dave Babiarz tripled him in and Mike Lucas scored Babiarz on a ground out to short.
Worcester's big bottom of third put some distance between them and the Gulls. After two quick outs, Trowt looked to be settling in. However, he walked WSC's \#3 hitter, Bear Dunn, on some very close pitches. He would not retire another batter as the Lancers put up five runs in a hurry. The next four hitters went double, single, home run and triple. Jason Newham came in an allowed a single to Pat Welch, which closed the book on Trowt's runners. Welch got caught rounding first too far and was out trying to get back to the bag to end the inning.
Endicott's Pete Norke homered in the fourth to make it 7-3. Worcester answered with one in the fourth and two in the fifth off Newham to make it 10-3. In the top of the seventh, Mark Vaughan reached on a throwing error from the shortstop. Steve Vidmosko singled on a ball over the bag at third that he beat out. Babiarz hit the first pitch he saw into the trees in left to give the Gulls some life at 10-6.
In the eighth the Gulls threatened again but could not draw closer. Allain doubled and Norke walked. With one out, Matt Bishop pinch hit for Brendan Tiani and drove a deep fly ball to the warning track in left field. He did not get enough of it and it settled in the left fielder's glove.
Ian Parkinson pitched the eighth and ninth for the Gulls and allowed one run on three hits and a hit batsman. The Gulls threatened again in the top of the ninth. After two quick outs, Babiarz picked up his fourth hit of the day and Lucas walked. Greg Allain ended the game with a deep fly ball to left that the Worcester left fielder, Tom Shea, caught easily because he was playing just in front of the warning track.
With the win Worcester moves to 11-6, while Endicott drops to 11-1