Baseball Swept By Salem State, 7-2 and 12-0

Salem, MA --- Salem State swept both ends of a doubleheader on Friday afternoon, defeating Worcester State 7-2, and 12-0 to remain unbeaten in conference play.

The Vikings improved to 19-5, and 4-0 in MASCAC play while Worcester State dropped to 5-18, and 0-4 in the conferece.

In game one, junior Kevin Salines (Melrose, MA) and sophomore Kyle McElroy (Newburyport, MA) both went 3-for-4 as Salem State pounded out 11 hits in a 7-2 victory.

Worcester State scored twice in the top of the first to grab a 2-0 lead. Freshman Jeff Bolio (Oxford, MA) plated the first run after he tripled and scored on and RBI single by sophomore Joseph Carlier (Rockland, MA). Following a deep fly to right, second-year Dan Ubele (Tyngsboro, MA) knocked in the second run with a base hit.

Salem State opened up the game with a five-run second to take a three-run lead. After sophomore Brett Cahill (Gloucester, MA) singled and classmate Matt Burgess (Kingston, MA) reached on a sacrifice. Second-year Ryan Beliveau (Lynn, MA) walked to load the bases. Sophomore Ethan Trowt (Beverly, MA) brought in the first run on a sacrifice fly and junior Steve Buitkus (Reading, MA) knocked in another when he blasted a double into right-center field. Salines followed with a two-run single and senior Chis Cocci (Wakefield, RI) added another run on a base hit to stake Salem State to a 5-2 lead. 

Trowt added another run for the Vikings in the third when his triple scored Cahill who had doubled.

Freshman Cody Osburn (Danvers, MA) came on in relief for the Lancers in the fourth inning for starter Nick Bonofiglio (Worcester, MA).  Bonofiglio (2-3) went three and one third innings and allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits and four walks.

The Vikings' senior Matt Kerr (East Freetown, MA) earned the win after pitching five solid innings. He gave up two runs on five hits with five strikeouts to improve to 6-0 on the year. Classmate Matt Padovani (Lynnfield, MA) closed the game for Salem State pitching two scoreless innings while giving up just one hit.

Cahill went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored for the Vikings while Worcester State second baseman Nick Gezotis (Westfield, MA) finished 2-for-4.

In game two sophomore, Vikings sophomore Ed Deren (Westford, MA) went the distance tossed a seven-hitter with a pair of strikeouts to improve his season record to 3-2.

The Vikings scored four in the first to take an early 4-0 lead. Cocci's sacrifice fly scored the first run and after McElroy singled, sophomore Nick Conti (Lynn, MA) ripped a triple into the right field corner to score McElroy. Conti scored the third run on an error and following a wild pitch Burgess singled in the fourth run.

Salem State blew open the game in the third, scoring five times to take a 9-0 lead. A Cahill single plated two runs and Buitkus kept the inning alive with a two-out two-run double that made the score 8-0. Salines followed with an RBI single to chase junior Alex Teal (Malden, MA).

Teal (2-3) lasted just two and two thirds innings and allowed nine runs, seven earned, on 10 hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

The Vikings scored a trio of runs over the games final three frames of the Lancer bullpen for the final score.

Buitkus and Conti each had three hits and three runs scored for Salem State. Burgess, Salines and senior Eric Juncker (Rockport, MA) and Burgess all chipped in with two hits apiece.

Gezotis finished 4-for-8 for the Lancers as he now leads the squad with a .368 batting average on the season.

Salem State's next game will be at home against Becker College on Monday at 3:30PM.  Worcester State plays again Tuesday at Brandeis University at 3:30.