Salem State Posts 7-1 Victory Over Baseball In MASCAC Quarterfinals

Salem, MA --- Salem State sophomore Cato Lacroix (Holliston, MA) tossed 7 2/3 strong innings and freshman Richard Facteau (Newbury, MA) went 2-for-3 with two RBIs as both helped lead the top-seeded Vikings to a 7-1 triumph over #4 Worcester State in the Quarterfinal round of the MASCAC Baseball Tournament this afternoon.

The Vikings (23-13) will play #2 Framingham State tomorrow in the winners bracket game of the Semifinals at 1 PM while the Lancers (19-21) try to stave off elimination in the losers bracket game at 10 AM against fourth-seeded Westfield State.

Worcester State opened the games scoring in the top of the first on an RBI single by senior Kurt Sabacinski (Worcester, MA/St. Peter Marian) to bring in sophomore Steve Wallace (Auburn, MA).

But the Lancers had a tough time plating runners on base as they stranded nine men on base through the sixth frame - including six in scoring position and the bases juiced in the top of the fifth

Salem State took full advantage by scoring the equalizer on a run producing single with two outs by junior Mike Lamothe (Beverly, MA) to bring in classmate Brett Cahill (Gloucester, MA).

The Vikings then notched the go-ahead run on an RBI saftey by Facteau to drive in third-year Matt Burgess (Kingstown, MA) for the 2-1 ball game in the bottom of the sixth.

Junior Dan Ubele (Tyngsboro, MA) and freshman Dennis Duplessis (Marlboro, MA) reached on singles with two outs against a tiring Lacroix, but senior closer Andrew Guido (Peabody, MA) ended the threat on a ground-out to third.

Salem State gave themselves some breathing room with a five run bottom frame which was highlighted with RBIs by Facteau and Lamothe and two more scores came home on a dropped fly ball by the left fielder.

Guido turned a double play in the top of the ninth and ended the contest on a line-out to record his fifth save of the season.

Lacroix (3-3) gave up the lone unearned run and scattered 10 hits while he also issued a pair of free passes.

Senior Nick Bonofiglio (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) surrendered eight runs (three earned) on eight hits to go with five walks and seven strikeouts. Bonofiglio is now 3-5 on the campaign.

Cahill was 2-for-3 for the Vikings while Wallace, Sabacinski and Ubele all chipped in with two base-knocks each for the Lancers.

Lamothe also drove in two and Cahill scored twice for the hosts. Worcester State actually outhit Salem State, 12-8, but left 13 men on base.