Jumbos Wallop Vikings

Jumbos Wallop Vikings

MEDFORD, Mass. -- Traverse Briana (Lynn, Mass.) hit his fourth home run of the season, staking Salem State to a 2-0 first inning lead. However, Tufts scored 26 runs over the middle three innings to run away with a 30-2 victory. The Vikings used seven pitchers as the Jumbos racked up 22 hits in scoring their most runs in 32 years.

Tufts scored 10 runs in the third, seven in the fourth and nine in the fifth (26 total). For the game overall they recorded 22 hits, took 12 walks, were hit by five pitches and benefitted from 11 Salem State errors.

The Vikings had taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. After a lead-off single from sophomore RF Shawn Rebello, junior 1B Trav Briana hit a long two-run homer to left.

The Jumbos scored three times in the bottom of the first to get things going. Junior RF J.P. Knight had an rbi walk, junior 3B Elias Varinos hit a run-scoring single and senior catcher Harrison Frickmanwas hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

After a scoreless second, the floodgates opened in the third as Tufts sent 15 men to the plate. Knight hit a two-run double and Varinos and junior CF Justin Mills both had two-run singles.

Varinos, who finished 6 for 7 with six rbis and five runs scored, singled home a run and scored in the fourth. Knight (2 for 3, four ribs, two runs) had an rbi triple and scored in the frame.

The nine-run Jumbo fifth featured a two-run single by senior catcher Harrison Frickman (2 for 3, two rbis, two runs).

Jumbo freshman starter Harsha Bollu earned his first collegiate victory, going three innings allowing four hits and two runs. Freshman Aidan Tucker (2 IP), sophomore Manny Ray, freshman Steven Landry, freshman Michael Volgende and junior Spencer Langdon all pitched scoreless relief for Tufts.

Zac Duval (Middleton, Mass.) earned the loss, allowing three runs on two hits with two walks in an inning of work.