WESTFIELD, Mass – The Owls had two players receive Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference honors in their season opening weekend as the team went 3 -1, sweeping Saint Joseph (Conn.) and splitting their games with Springfield in a pair of doubleheaders.

 Junior outfielder/pitcher Sam Palmer (Medfield, Mass.) was named Player of the Week in the conference and senior pitcher Ryan Lapierre (Pittsfield, Mass.) was named Pitcher of the Week.

Palmer batted .333 (5-15) on the weekend with two doubles, a triple, two RBIs, four stolen bases, and a .600 slugging percentage. Palmer went 2-4 with a double, RBI, two stolen bases, and two runs scored in the Owls' 11-8 win over Saint Joseph's (Conn.). Palmer also was 3-7 with a double, triple, RBI, and a run scored in the double header against Springfield. Palmer also made an appearance on the mound where he recorded a three-strikeout inning to lock in the save for the Owls in their 4-2 win over Springfield.

The 6'3 230-pound right-hander Lapierre was exceptional in throwing 11 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, striking out seven and walking none in the Owls' 4-1 victory over Saint Joseph's (Conn.). Lapierre had an ERA of 3.96 last season and was second in the conference in strikeouts with 71.

The Owls are back in action as they head to Florida for spring break this weekend. They will open up with a two-game series against Capital University on Friday, March 8 with first pitch starting at 10:00 am.

Live stats can be found at westfieldstateowls.com.

-- written by Anthony Franco, sports information intern