Worcester State Baseball 2004 Season Review:  27-12 Overall (10-4 MASCAC)

*Clarkson (W, 3-0): Back-to-back years starting season with shutout…Cean Oksanish impressive 6 inn. (3 hits, 7 K) with Bear Dunn the save (2 K)…Pat Welch 2 huge throws to nail baserunners at 3B…Dan Walker game-winning hit…Tom Shea 2 hits…Jeff Wood 2 runs…no WSC batters struck out…Clarkson 23-8 in 2003.

*Fontbonne (W, 6-5 – L, 11-2): Split vs. 2003 NCAA team (25-11) coached by former Sox Scott Cooper…Game 1: clutch game-winning grand slam by Dan Walker in 5^th to break 2-2 score…Wood clutch 1B to drive in Russell to tie score at 2…Al Robillard 1^st WSC win (7 inn., 6 hits, 1 ER, 3 K) despite a shaky 7^th…Bear Dunn HR and 6 assists at SS…Game 2: Greg Gawlik loses 1^st college start (3.1 inn., 6 hits, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 K)…Cousineau (2 K), Iannarelli, Stronach, DiMare see action…many regs see action…only 3 WSC hits.

*Hope (W, 6-2): 2^nd straight day beating NCAA squad (20-17 in 2003 – 4-2 coming in)…Freshman Jon Hudson 1^st college win (6 inn., 8 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K)…2 huge throws at 2B from Kirk Russell to nail runners at 3B…Dunn closed it out…big 4-run 5^th to win it…2 hits from Foskett and Dunn (2 RBI)…Welch 2 RBI.

*MacMurray (W, 8-3): 8 strong inn. from Luke Perec (7 hits, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 4 assists)…Brian Todd pitched the 9^th…1^st time under Coach Baker started trip 4-1…Wood (12 putouts), Walker, Gennetti, Montalto with 2 hits…WSC 14 hits, 8 SBs, 4 2Bs…Izzy Ayala 1^st college hit & Pat Moran 1^st run…MC 7-31 last year.

*Messiah (L, 12-10 in 12 inn.): Epic comeback vs. another NCAA team (24-15)…down 7-1 then 4-run 8^th and tied it in 9^th with 2-out Attaway 2-RBI triple (5 hits, 5 RBI)…bats arose after Messiah pitcher threw behind Shea who then laced 1B up the middle…suffering from dehydration & throwing up all morning the freshman phenom had 3 hits, 3 runs…Captain Jeff Wood (3 hits) also injured but limped out a 1B in late inn. comeback…big run by Welch (3 hits, 2 runs) after wild throw went into CF…Hurlers Oksanish (7 inn.) then Hatton, Dunn (struck out side in 10^th) and Cousineau…Dunn got the loss with 3 runs in 12^th…WSC 17 hits but yielded 22.

*Plattsburgh (W, 13-10 – L, 11-3): Hudson 2^nd win of trip (6 inn., 6 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K)…led 13-3 before awful 7-run relief by Stronach, Jarvis, Iannarelli in 7^th…Hatton the save by closing it out with bases-loaded…WSC 16 hits…Attaway 3 hits…Montalto 2 hits, 4 RBI…Shea, Walker, Dunn, K. Oksanish Foskett (3 RBI) all with 2 hits…WSC blown out in Game 2: Plattsburgh jumped out to 7-0 lead…Tom Shea 1^st college HR (2 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBI)…K. Oksanish 3 hits, 2 doubles, 3 RBI…Russell 2 hits…WSC 11 hits…Gawlik loses (1.1 inn.)…Cousineau relief and fine job by Todd (3 inn., 1 ER)…Plattsburgh 13-18 last year.

*No. 10 Wooster (L, 13-3): Revenge win for NCAA Top 10 club (30-13 in 2003 - #1 in 2002) which went 10-2 in Fla…Robillard knocked around (1-1) for 7 ER who was followed by Perec (3 inn., 1 hit, 3 K), Iannarelli and DiMare (struck out side in 9^th)…4^th game in a row WSC pitchers give up 10+ runs…Attaway 2 hits, 2 RBI…only 8 WSC hits…Fla. Review: most games in Fla. (9) against very strong opponents (4 NCAA teams)…1^st time in 5 years WSC didn’t win 6 games…every WSC player saw action on trip…wins: Hudson (2), Oksanish, Robillard, Perec (1), saves Dunn and Hatton (1)…saw Curt Schilling pitch at practice and on St. Patrick’s Day…also met Carl Yastrzemski, Dwight Evans, Gabe Kapler, Tony Womack, Dick Beradino, Frank Malzone, and David Ortiz. *Ft. Myers, Fla.

At RIC (L, 8-7): Bottom of the 9^th loss to strong RI club (8-4)…Down 7-2 but tied game in 5^th…Oksanish gave up 6 ER but Perec strong 5 inn. of relief (1 ER, 3 hits, 5 K)…Dunn (0-2) loses in 9^th…Attaway 3-RBI double in 5^th…Walker 2 hits, HR, 2 runs…Kyle Oksanish 2 hits, 2 RBI…Montalto 3 hits…WSC 11 hits but yielded 14.

At WPI (W, 5-2 – W, 4-3): 1^st sweep of season…last at-bat victory with amazing 3-run 7^th against WPI ace Shawn Walker…Game 1: Hatton joins pitching corps with impressive 6 inn. (3 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K)…Dunn 1-run 7^th along with 3 hits, 2 RBI…sac flies from Dunn and Russell…Game 2: Oksanish and Shea 1Bs, Wood hit-and-run, Dunn-Walker 1Bs = Oksanish, Ayala, Dunn score…go-ahead run comes on throwing error…Shea 2 hits…Perec 1^st college save 1,2,3 7^th…Brian Todd 1^st college win (scoreless 6^th) after gutsy performance from Hudson (5 inn., 0 ER, 6 hits, 4 K)…Wood courageous effort with bum knee…play of game in 6^th with WPI not scoring on sac fly with capty head’s up play getting out in rundown…WSC drew 13 BBs on day…20 WSC players see action in DH before raucous college crowd.

At Babson (W, 3-2): 2^nd last at-bat victory in back-to-back days over perennial play-off club (7-6 coming in)…1^st ever win over Beavers (8 straight ECAC play-off appearances)…Foskett tying 2B in 9^th (scoring Oksanish) in sac bunt situation then Bob Montalto RBI scores Gennetti for go-ahead run…huge defense on day from Russell 4 putouts/7 assists (diving grab then diving stab to end game)…Robillard impressive for win (8 inn., 3 hits, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K)=MASCAC Pitcher of the Week…Perec 2^nd save…WSC “D” 15 assists and 2 DPs…Dunn 14 putouts at 1B.

At MIT (W, 14-4): 16 WSC hits and 6 for extra bases…Montalto 5 hits, 6 RBI, lead-off HR, 2 2Bs, 3 runs, 3 SB…Dunn 3-run HR…Russell 3 hits, 2 RBI…K. Oksanish 2 hits, 2 runs…Gennetti 2 hits, 2 runs…Barnaby 1^st college hit…Todd (2-0) effective 5 inn., 6 hits, 3 ER…Cousineau 2 inn., 0 ER…Stronach 1 inn…4 game win streak…MIT 7-3 going in.

Bridgewater (L, 4-2 – W, 3-1): Bears #6 in 3/29 New England Poll, in NCAAs 7 of last 8 years, and 2003 Regional Finalists…Played at BSC…2^nd straight year split DH…Game 1: huge 5U/5-3 DP by Attaway in 3^rd to keep game at 2-0…play of game was throwing error by Robillard on sac bunt which scored 2 runs…Robillard started with 6 straight Ks (6 inn., 5 hits, 8 K, 2 BB, 2 ER)…2-1 in 4^th with Walker 2-out RBI scoring Montalto (3 hits, 2 BB in DH)…4-1 going into 7^th before 2-out rally=Oksanish BB, Shea and Russell 1Bs, Montalto BB…Wood ended game with K with bases-loaded…Game 2: play of game Montalto over-the-shoulder catch in LF to end 6^th…WSC 2-0 after 1^st highlighted by Attaway 2-out 1B…Hatton a dominating 7 inn., 8 K, 4 hits, 2 BB…Wood squeeze bunt in 6^th to make it 3-1 scoring Shea…only 12 WSC hits in DH (1 double)…zero errors by WSC position players.

Endicott (W, 11-6): Played at Clark…EC annual play-off team (NCAAs in 2001 and 2003)…8^th game and 4^th win vs. 2003 NCAA club this season…Oksanish (2-1) wins in effective 7 inn…Todd and Dunn scoreless relief…huge defensive play by Welch (K) then pickoff throw to Attaway at 3B…hustle throw from Wood to Dunn at 2B for out after wide throw…0 WSC errors…5-run 3^rd puts game away…Welch career high 4 hits, 3 RBI…Attaway 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBI…Oksanish 3 hits, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI…2 hits by Montalto, Dunn (2 runs)…WSC 18 hits, 6 2B, 3B, HR…beautiful day to play baseball.

Colby-Sawyer (W, 14-7): Played at Worcester Academy…Down 7-0 after the 1^st inn., bats erupted for 7 runs in the 2^nd, went ahead in the 3^rd and didn’t relinquish a run the rest of the game…Hudson shelled (7 ER) but Cousineau impressive 6.6 inn. (3 hits, 0 runs) for 1^st WSC win…highlights: Wood scoring from 2B on sac fly and 1-5-3 rebound assist from Cousineau-Oksanish-Wood…Montalto on fire again (3B, HR, 2 runs, 4 RBI)…Wood 3 hits, 2 doubles…Attaway 3 hits, 2 runs…Shea 2 hits, 3 runs…Gennetti 2 hits, 2 runs…Russell 2 doubles, 4 RBI…Dunn 2 hits…Barnaby, Iannarelli (2 inn., 1 hit, 1 K), Moran, Ayala, Downie all played…0 WSC errors and 18 hits.

UMass-Boston (W, 15-10): Played at Assumption…UMB (10-7) #4 3/29 NEIBA Poll…WSC in complete command all day…4-game win streak…highlights: batted around in 1^st inn. 5-0 lead, 19 hits, Russell, Shea and Dunn HRs, Wood to Dunn (1B-to-3B DP), Shea 2-strike/2 RBI squeeze scoring Attaway and Robillard…Perec (2-0) 6 inn./5 K/3 ER followed by Todd, Gawlik, and DiMare (pitchers gave up 4 HRs)…Shea 4 hits, 3 RBI, 3 runs…Robillard 2 hits, 3 RBI, 2 runs…Dunn 3 hits, 3 RBI…2 hits by Oksanish, Wood (2 runs) and Montalto (3 runs)…LaChapelle 6-4-3 DP…Downie 1B, RBI…Dunn/Russell 5 assists…WSC 40 runs/55 hits in last 3 games.

At Mass. Maritime (W, 11-3 – W, 18-3): 34 hits, 29 runs in DH…6-game win streak…69 runs in last 5 games…Game 1: Robillard 1^st MASCAC win (7 inn., 5 hits, 3 runs, 10 K)…12 hits, 0 errors, 2 DPs, 6 doubles, 3 HR…2 hits=Montalto (HR), Wood (HR), Oksanish (3 runs, 2 doubles), Attaway (2 doubles, 2 runs)…Dunn HR…Game 2: Hatton wins (3-0/2-0 MASCAC=5 inn., 7 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)…Iannarelli and Stronach scoreless inn…22 hits…Montalto 3 hits, 4 RBI, HR…Wood 4 hits, 3 RBI…2 hits=Dunn, Oksanish, Attaway, Welch, Russell (3 runs, 3 RBI)…Russell 1B up middle which scored 4 runs…Cean Oksanish 1^st college 1B.

At Westfield (W, 3-0 – L, 6-5): Game 1: Robillard dominant with team’s 2^nd shutout (7 inn., 5 hits, 10 K, 3 Ks in 7^th)…7-game win streak…Wood 2 hits…Shea 2B/RBI…Attaway squeeze in 1^st for GWRBI…Foskett 1B, BB, run, 2 SBs…only 6 WSC hits…Game 2: disappointing last inn. finish after tying game with 2 runs in 7^th…Hatton pitched well (6 inn., 8 hits, 6 K, 3 BB)…down 1-0 until Dunn 2-out 3-RBI double in 3^rd (Wood, Montalto, Russell scoring)…Westfield tied it in 3^rd and then 2 runs in 6^th to make it 5-3…heroics started with Robillard and Welch 1Bs, Gennetti RBI (Ayala run), and Russell squeeze (Walker scores) to tie game at 5-5…2 pitches in 7^th=3B-1B to end game…Robillard 2 hits…7 WSC hits…1 WSC error on day…4-2 in MASCAC for log-jammed 2^nd place (WSC, Westfield, Fitchburg).

At No. 24 Wheaton (W, 3-2): 5^th win over 2003 NCAA team…Wheaton 2004 NEWMAC Champ (9-3), #5 4/12 New England Poll + 4 straight NCAAs…2^nd win over perennial New England powerhouse…epic performance by Jon Hudson (3-0) with 6 inn., 8 hits…Cousineau great 2 inn., 0 hits, 1 K…Robillard 9^th inn. save (2 K)…defensive play of season Foskett to Welch in 7^th to nail potential tying run at plate…Sportscenter highlight in 5^th=Russell flip to Attaway to Wood…back-to-back sac flies in 2^nd by Foskett and Russell to make score 3-0…Oksanish 2-out RBI in 1^st makes it 1-0…Foskett 2 hits…0 WSC errors, 4 sac hits, and 7 hits.

At Salem State (W, 3-1 – W, 6-2): 2^nd straight sweep at Salem…Bear Dunn and Luke Perec=1^st ever MASCAC wins…Vikings #7 3/29 NEIBA Poll (12-7)…4-1 weekend (nearly 4 complete-game performances) with all quality opponents on the road (only 11 runs allowed)…Game 1: Bear dominated with 101-degree fever (7 inn., 9 hits, 8 K, 0 BB, 1 ER)…Attaway and Russell RBI doubles…3-run 2^nd inn…Game 2: Perec (7 inn., 7 hits, 4 K, 0 BB, 0 ER)…GWRBI on wind-blown IF pop-up…3 DPs with 2 unassited from Attaway at SS…big squeeze by Atttaway in 6^th and 4-6-3 to end game…3-2 in 4^th then huge 3-run 6^th to ice it…Welch 1B/2 runs…Russell 3 hits…0 PBs and no steal-attempts on Welch in DH…Robillard MASCAC Pitcher of Week (2^nd of season).  Coach Baker's 200th career win at WSC in game 1

Albertus Magnus (W, 8-4): 20^th win for 7^th straight season…6^th win and 10^th game vs. 2003 NCAA team (11-11)…played at New Balance Field…6-0 after 3^rd…Iannarelli 1^st college win (5 inn., 9 hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)…Cousineau the save (4 inn., 3 hits, 1 BB)…2 hits Montalto, Attaway (2 RBI), Foskett, Russell (2 RBI)…12 WSC hits.

Roger Williams (L, 7-5): Played at Assumption…RW 2002 NCAAs + 2^nd place in Commonwealth Coast Conf…disappointing loss to quality club (15-13)…no-hit for 5 inn. before rallying and bringing tying run to plate in 7^th…3 runs in 6^th…Todd loses (2 inn.) but Stronach 4 inn. 0 runs…Dunn 2 hits/2 RBI…Wood 2 runs…only 4 hits.

At Becker (W, 9-5): Gawlik gets 1^st college win (9 inn., 8 hits, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 hit in last 5 inn.)…down 5-1 in 4^th but rally 4 in 5^th and 2 in 6^th…clutch 3-run pinch-hit triple by Gennetti in 5^th…GWRBI by Foskett (2 hits)…Gennetti 3B, run, RBI…big diving catch in CF by Barnaby…Oksanish 3 BBs, HBP, 2 runs…Russell 2 BB, 2 HBP, 1B…6 WSC steals.

At MCLA (L, 3-2 – W, 12-2): Game 1: 2^nd last-inn. MASCAC loss of season…1-out 1B off Hatton bottom of 7^th (6.3 inn., 3 hits, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K)…8 WSC hits…Dunn 2 hits, run…Game 2: 2^nd MASCAC win of Week for Perec (7 inn., 6 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K)…3-run 2^nd, 2-run 5^th, 4-run 6^th, and 2-run 7^th…10 hits…3-run bomb into trees by Montalto in 6^th…Wood 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBI…Welch 2-out double, 2 RBI in 5^th…Oksanish 2 runs, double…0 WSC errors in DH…last road trip of year.

Fitchburg (W, 9-8 – W, 6-1): Home DH sweep for 1^st place in the MASCAC over top hitting team in conf (21-6, 6^th in New England)…3^rd MASCAC sweep of year…Game 1: Incredible comeback (down 3 runs after 1^st) with 3^rd last at-bat win of season and 28^th of Baker’s career…Oksanish lead-off HR in 7^th, Attaway 2B & Downie squeeze with 1-out to win it…Perec gets win (5-0) after FSC scores 4 runs in 7^th off Robillard and Dunn to take 8-7 lead…pivotal 2 runs in 5^th + Dunn run-down play to make it 4-3…4-run 6^th to make score 7-4…Walker huge pinch hit RBI-1B and run in 6th…Attaway 2 hits, 2 runs…Wood 2 hits…Welch 2 runs, 2B…Russell 2 hits, BB, run…Game 2: Montalto lead-off HR to tie game followed by Dunn blast to RF…Robillard HR in 4^th…Dunn dominated after giving up 1^st inn. run (2^nd MASCAC win) 7 inn., 1 ER, 5 hits, 6 K, 3 BB…Montalto 2 hits, 2 runs…Attaway 3 hits…Wood and Robillard 2 hits…1 WSC error in DH along with 23 hits and 4 HRs…WSC #1 in MASCAC pitching.

Framingham (W, 10-2 – L, 11-3): Chance to win MASCAC at Lake Park but disappointing last-inn. loss to Ram ace Lee Diamatopoulos (11 Ks)…Hatton dominates Game 1 but 8-run 7^th in Game 2 for 4^th MASCAC split…WSC only team in MASCAC to beat everyone…6^th straight season 24+ wins…Montalto incredible 3 straight games leading off with HR…hit 1^st pitch of both DH for HRs…Game 1: Hatton 7 inn. for 3^rd MASCAC win (5 hits, 4 K, 1 BB, O ER)…5-0 lead after 2^nd…Montalto 3 hits, 2 doubles, 2 runs…Dunn 2 hits…Walker 2 hits, 2 RBI, double, run…Barnaby 2B, run…Foskett HR…Russell 2 hits, run…13 WSC hits…Game 2: 4 Ram HRs prove difference off Perec, Robillard (loss), Dunn, Cousineau and Hudson who all pitch (4 in last inn.)…only 6 hits + 5-6 batters 6 Ks in game…3-2 lead in 4^th after Oksanish 2-run HR but tying HR off Perec in 5^th…Attaway 1B, 2 BBs…Foskett 2 hits, BB…Welch great job behind dish in DH.

MASCAC Tournament:

Fitchburg (W, 12-1): Under candles at Tivnan Field…Semi-Final Sat (10am, 1pm, 4pm), Sun (11am) at Bridgewater…Seeds=1) BSC, 2), WSC, 3) Fitch, 4) West…WSC-BSC only teams to make MASCACs each year…WSC #2 seed 2003-04…3^rd straight year of winning playoff game…front-page story in T&G…great Lancer following at Lake Park under lights…Bear Dunn immense 9 inn. (4 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, struck out side in 1^st) + incredible MASCAC mark=3-0, 3 runs…5 HRs: Walker, Dunn (2), Foskett…4-0 lead after 1 inn. then 9-0 after 3^rd (back-to-back HRs by Walker and Foskett in 1^st then again in 3^rd by Dunn and Oksanish)…MLB catch in CF by Montalto in 7^th on line drive…WSC beats FSC ace (5-0) Tom Motta (14 hits) + #1 hitting team in MASCAC...3 hits by Dunn + 3 runs, 3 RBI…2 hits by Montalto, Attaway, Walker (2 runs, 2 RBI), Foskett (2 runs, 2 RBI, BB, HBP), Russell (2 runs)…0 errors by both teams, 1 WSC DP.

Westfield (L 14-1): horrendous loss to #4 seed (21-15)…totally dominated by So. LHP DelSoldato (9 inn., 6 hits, 4 BB, 5 K)…out of game after 1^st = 3-0…Owls advance to 1^st ever MASCAC Title Game…Robillard poor outing (3-4) followed to mound by Iannarelli, Stronach (1-2-3 8^th) & Jarvis…8-run Owl 6^th ices game…no WSC highlights except Oksanish 2 hits (only 6 WSC hits)…many bench players see action.

Bridgewater (L, 5-4)…1^st 2-loss day since 2001…couldn’t touch Sr. LHP Nate Horsman when they had chances to score early then again vs. Bear Ace Josh White with gutsy save in 9^th with 2^nd + 3^rd + 0 outs…Wood (BB) and Welch (1B) start rally…Hatton pitched well enough to win (8 inn., 10 hits, 1 BB, 5 K)…story of day: only 6 WSC runs in 18 inn…key D: backup by Welch behind 1B turns into WSC DP…comebacker to Hatton another DP…WSC thrwarts 2 sq. bunt attempts 1^st with step-off then pitchout in 7^th vs. BSC…huge BSC “D” in 8^th with 5-4 diving play off Russell which would have tied game…BSC wins game in 7^th with 2 runs (WSC led 4-3 after Welch scored from 1B on Montalto 2B then error by 1B)…only 9 WSC hits…2-0 WSC after 2^nd (sq. bunt and WP) but left bases-loaded 3 times without damage…gutsy performances by Wood, Walker, and Shea all playing with injures…BSC advances to 4^th straight final…#5 NCAA Regional Poll + 5^th straight week of making a Regional Poll…solid year with 5 of 8 MASCAC teams with 20+ wins: WSC, Fitchburg, Bridgewater, Westfield, Salem.

At Babson (W, 9-3): 2^nd win of season vs. NEWMAC Champs (27-16 NCAAs)…defeated Heighington and MLB draft hopeful Kosow (6 hits, 5 runs)…Bear Dunn tremendous 8 inn. now 4-2 (6 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K)…Cousineau 1-2-3 9^th…12 WSC hits, 5 doubles + DP…play of game catch-throw Foskett-to-Ox at 3B to end 6^th…4-1 after 6^th…Dunn 3 hits, 3 runs, 2 RBI…Oksanish 2 RBI…Walker 2 hits, 3 RBI…Welch 3 hits…Russell sq. bunt scoring Attaway to tie score 1-1.

All-MASCAC: Robillard, Attaway, K. Oskanish (1^st Team)…Montalto (2^nd team).

MASCAC Leaders: #1 ERA (4.65) #3 Batting (.315)…Montalto (HRs-8), Perec (ERA)

WSC Baseball Awards: TBA

All-New England: TBA

2004 NCAAs: Babson, WNEC, Endicott, Amherst, MASCAC-Little East TBA

2004 Key Wins: 6 wins vs. 2003 NCAA teams (Fontbonne, Hope, Bridgewater, Endicott, Albertus, Wheaton)…3 wins vs. 2004 NCAA teams (Endicott, Babson-2)…wins over teams in NEIBA Coaches Poll: Fitchburg (3), UMass Boston, RIC, Wheaton, Babson (2), Bridgewater, Salem…only 1 in MASCAC to beat every team…only team besides FSC to beat BSC.