Quackenbush breaks career strikeout mark as Softball splits with Worcester State
Worcester, MA- MCLA sophomore hurler Rachel Quackenbush broke the school record for strikeouts as she led the Trailblazers softball team past Worcester State 2-1 this afternoon in the opening game of a MASCAC twinbill. Quackenbush entered the game needing seven strikeouts to break Jenn Golden's career mark of 249. She broke the mark in the fifth inning when she struck out the side.
The Lancers came back and earned a split by defeating MCLA 4-2 in the nightcap. MCLA is now 4-10 overall and 1-3 in the MASCAC. The Lancers are now 5-10 and 3-1 in conference play.
Game 1-
The Lancers struck first against Quackenbush in the opening frame as they used a pair of hits to grab the lead. Hayley Terry's RBI single score Sara Pelletier for an early 1-0 advantage. Quackenbush would settle down and keep the Lancers at bay and MCLA took the lead with a pair of runs in the third inning with Quackenbush square in the middle of it.
Her single to right field scored Amanda Meczwyor who had singled with one out. Jennifer Sicinski then belted a double to left center that brought home Quackenbush and MCLA led 2-1. From there, Quackenbush would not be denied on the mound.
She didn't allow a hit the rest of the way and MCLA held on for the victory. She finished surrendering just two hits, a walk, and fanned 10 Lancers as she earned her fourth win of the year. Sicinski had a pair of hits to lead the offense as MCLA outhit the Lancers 6-2.
Game 2-
MCLA sent Quackenbush to the mound in game two looking to sweep the hosts, but Worcester would battle back from an early deficit to secure the 4-2 win.
MCLA threatened early loading the bases with two outs in the first, but Samantha Boyle grounded out to end the frame. As in game one, the Lancers would strike first getting to Quackenbush for a run in the second inning for a 1-0 advantage.
The Trailblazers would respond with a pair of runs in the third to take a 2-1 lead. Boyle delivered the key blow with a two run double to right plating Samantha Barbarotta and Sicinski. The Lancers escaped further damage inducing a flyout and groundout to end the frame.
Worcester would immediately answer with a pair of runs in the bottom half. Hilary Hart delivered a two run double putting the Lancers back out in front 3-2. They would add an insurance tally in the fifth as Hart delivered again with an RBI single to left. MCLA never threatened over the final three frames as Worcester earned the split.
Quackenbush was tagged with the loss in game two tossing six innings and notching a pair of strikeouts. She allowed 7 hits and 4 runs (2 earned).
MCLA is back in action on Tuesday when they battle Amherst College.