Purchase, NY (March 5, 2016) – Worcester State University stayed undefeated Saturday, as Purchase opened its 2016 campaign at home in a doubleheader against the Lancers.

Worcester captured both ends in 6-2 game-two win after narrowly edging the Panthers in 10 innings in game one.

The non-conference wins improved Worcester to 5-0, while dropping Purchase to 0-2.

The Lancers, utilizing momentum from the opener, scored two runs in the first and three in the fifth in game two, adding a single run in the second. The Panthers scored a run in the third, but couldn't overcome the early deficit as it had in game one. Purchase challenged late. The Panthers scored a run and had runners in scoring position in the sixth, but Worcester starter Kyle Sullivan eluded trouble en route to recording the win. Panther starter Andrew Fingerhut (JR/Smithtown, NY) took the game-two loss.   

The opener set the tone for the afternoon.    

Worcester won a pitcher's duel in extra innings in game one. The Lancers defeated Purchase 3-2 in 10, scratching across two early runs and then outlasting the Panthers in extras.  

The first game opened with two scoreless innings, highlighted by a nice pickoff by Panther starter Miguel Reyes (JR/Bronx, NY). The right hander surrendered a leadoff walk and proceeded to mow him down at first.

Reyes retired the first six batters, but ran into some trouble in the third, allowing two runs. Following two walks, Worcester right fielder and three-hitter Adam Barry lined a two-out, two-RBI single for the Lancers. Worcester would load the bases right after, but Reyes managed to limit the damage. Purchase's starter got an infield pop up to shortstop end the threat.

Meanwhile, Worcester starter Tyler Barrie allowed only a hit batsman through the first three frames.

Reyes settled back in during the fourth. After a leadoff error, the Panthers turned a pretty 5-4-3 double play around the horn and closed the inning on a fly out.

Reyes induced another double play in the fifth, this time getting Barry – who had three hits in the game – to end the frame.

Purchase's defense was on full display in the top of the sixth. Panther center fielder Ronald Pressley (JR/Bronx, NY) made a terrific running grab to shag down a long fly to start the inning. Catcher Brenden LaPorte (SR/Farmington, CT) also fired a strike to second on a bunt. The fielder's choice provided the inning's second out. Reyes would allow two singles in the frame, but snarled a nifty comebacker to end the inning with runners on first and second.    

Barrie was also in control, taking a no-hitter into the sixth in the first of two seven-inning, non-conference games. Worcester's starter struck out the first batter of the sixth and then hit the next batter, Gregory Walsh (FR/Bethpage, NY). Walsh stole second and advanced to third on an infield single by leadoff hitter Pressley, breaking up the no-no.  

LaPorte followed with an RBI single, as the two defensive stars of the top half of the inning – Pressley and LaPorte – helped Purchase get on the board. LaPorte's single to left plated Walsh and put runners on first and second with one out.

Three-hitter Teofilo Ramirez (JR/Queens, NY) smashed a hard single to short that Mike Powers couldn't handle. The clutch hit tied the game.

Barrie recovered and retired the next two hitters to get out of the jam.

It remained tied through the 10th, but both teams had chances. Purchase left two runners on in the eighth and stranded a runner on third in the seventh, while Worcester left two on the eighth, including a runner in scoring position in the inning, before breaking through in the 10th.

Barry started it off for the Lancers in the 10th with a single. Worcester would manufacture the run, bunting Barry into scoring position. After a fly out, Mike Ferrara singled home Barry for the eventual game-winning run.

The Panthers would not go quietly. Purchase loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but Worcester's John Boyd, who recorded the win, got out of the jam. He relieved Andrew Reed, who tossed 2/3rds of an inning in the eighth after Barrie pitched the first seven, including five no-hit innings. Boyd navigated around some near late-inning heroics by Purchase to finish off the narrow victory.

Christopher Dreier (SO/Mahopac, NY) relieved Reyes over the final 3 2/3 innings for Purchase, taking the loss, despite pitching well in relief. Reyes also pitched well, going 6 2/3, while allowing two runs in the third inning.

For Worcester, Barry, like he did in game one, had three hits in game two, while teammates Powers and Ferrara totaled two RBI apiece in the finale.

Ramirez and Gerard Fraracci (JR/Queens, NY) each collected an RBI in the game-two loss. Pressley totaled four hits on the afternoon, collecting two in each game. 

The Panthers will look to bounce back Sunday at home, when the team welcomes Norwich to the campus for an 11 a.m. non-conference doubleheader. Both games are again slated as seven-inning contests.