Courtesy Worcester State & Brandeis Sports Information

Waltham, MA --- Freshman Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) went 3-for-3 with two RBIs as she helped lead seventh-seeded Worcester State to a 6-4 upset over #2 Brandeis in eight innings in the Quarterfinal round of the ECAC Division III New England Softball Tournament this afternoon at Marcus Field.

With the win the Lancers (24-17) will play #3 Keene State, who defeated the University of New England, 6-3 earlier today at a site to be determined in the double-elimination semifinal round. Brandeis wraps up their season at 23-19.

Brandeis jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two innings.  Sophomore Amanda Genovese (North Haven, CT) was the catalyst in the top of the first. She reached on a bunt single, stole second – her Division III-leading 57th of the season - moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball to open the scoring.

The Judges had a chance to blow the game open in the second, loading the bases with one out. Sophomore Cori Coleman (Burr Ridge, IL) stroked a double to left, followed by a walk to freshman Madison Sullivan (Dover, NG) and a single up the middle by classmate Jordan Buscetto (Old Lyme, CT).

Third-year Leah McWilliams (Billerica, MA) then hit a rocket that ricocheted off the third baseman’s glove, bringing home Coleman. Worcester State hurdler Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) induced a ground to shortstop, senior Aimee Lamoureaux (E. Brookfield, MA) fired home for the force out and then Everson got a grounder to first to minimize the damage.

Everson went on to retire 15 of the next 16 Judge hitters to keep her side in the game.

Brandeis starter Melissa Nolan (Windsor, CT) was also in control over the first five innings, allowing just two base-runners. Terry walked in the first and singled in the fourth for the Lancers only hit until the sixth.

In the sixth, with one away, Worcester State senior Kylene Pease (Ashland, MA) singled to left and took second on a bobble. She was bunted to second and scored on Terry’s second hit of the game.

Everson singled and took second on a throw to try to get Terry, but Genovese made a tremendous diving catch, diving to her left, to retire the side.

In the seventh, Worcester State scored an unearned run to force extra innings. Lamoureux reached on a booted ball at second base to lead off the inning. She stole second to get into scoring position, but Nolan got a pair of fly balls to get the Judges within one out of advancing. That set the stage for sophomore Katie Storro (Leominster, MA), who fell behind 1-2 before stroking a ball down the right-field line to tie the game at 2-2.

After Brandeis went in order in the seventh, Worcester State faced Ducinski in the eighth as rain started to fall.

With junior Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA) drawing a leadoff walk, the visitors strung together singled by three of the next four hitters. Terry and Everson each picked up RBI in the frame to make it 4-2 in favor of the visitors. With the bases still loaded, the rain picked up, and two straight pitches slipped out of Ducinski’s hand and rolled to backstop, allowing WSU runs to score before time was called. Those runs proved costly.

After a 20-minute rain delay, Worcester State, with a runner on third, missed a squeeze attempt for the second out, and Ducinski got a strikeout to bring the Judges back to the plate.

Genovese led off the Brandeis eighth with McWilliams on second to start the inning. Worcester State pulled their outfield in to protect against the slap-hit and she knocked the ball over the left fielder’s head for an RBI triple. Ducinski followed with an run-producing single to third, making it a 6-4 game, but Everson settled down and got three straight groundouts to end the contest.

Brandeis was paced by Genovese, who was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a triple, an RBI and a stolen base. Nolan went seven innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out three and walking one. Ducinski (9-8) suffered the loss with four runs (three earned) in her lone inning of work.

Everson (10-7) got the job done at the plate and in the circle. She was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored with an eight-inning complete game, fanning three and walking one while allowing four runs (two earned).

Everson now has a remarkable 0.79 ERA in 124 innings on the season as she was seventh in Division III entering the contest.