Vikings Steal 8-7 Victory in Bridgewater

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

BRIDGEWATER, Mass.- Antonio Belgrove (Stamford, Ct.) was the difference maker in the eighth inning when his base hit brought around what would be the game winning run in Salem State's 8-7 victory over Bridgewater State this evening at Alumni Park. The Vikings boosted their record to 11-7 overall and 4-2 in conference play while the Bears dropped to 9-9 overall and 3-3 in conference play.  

How It Happened

• The Bears had runners in the corner and one out in the first inning when Steven Simon (Hannover, Mass.) flew out to centerfielder Mark Smith (East Haven, Conn.) to bring home the first run of the game.  
• In the second inning, Yabdriel Gonzalez (New Haven, Ct.)  hit a base hit to center field, to bring home the first run of the game before an error on the Bears' behalf brought around a second Viking to give Salem the 2-1 edge.
• An inning later, Smith delivered a two-run home run over the left field fence to extend the Vikings lead to three (4-1).
• Bridgewater State found themselves in a promising position with bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the fourth, when Matthew Pigeon (Canton, Mass.) and Kyle Surcai (Clinton, Ct.) both walked, forcing home a run as part of a three-run rally for the Bears. They managed to tie the score at four apiece after four complete innings. 
• The Vikings started a two-out rally in the fifth. They managed to record three consecutive hits, which included a base hit by Nolan Currier (Maynard, Mass.) that gave the Vikings the lead before another run crossed the plate to make it a 6-4 game.
• However, the Bears answered in the home half of the inning after Jay Wladkowski (Norwood, Mass.) hit a two-run home run that sailed over the fence, effectively giving the Bears a 7-6 lead.  
• In the top of the sixth the Vikings would tie the game after a wild pitch made it a 7-run stalemate which would hold till the eighth inning.
• In the eighth, after a hit and a sacrifice fly, Gonzalez found himself on third base when Belgrove hit a blooper base hit that brought Gonzalez home, notching the go-ahead run that would give the Vikings the eventual 8-7 victory.

Noteworthy

• Smith delivered his fourth home run of the season and now has 14 RBIs on the year.
• Kyle Banche (Torrington, Mass.) recorded his second win of the season as he improved to 2-2. He pitched 2.1 innings and striking out three batters.
• Smith and Currier each recorded three hits apiece as they combined for six hits and three RBIs.  
•  Simon and Wladkowski combined for 4 RBIs, going 3 for 6 on the afternoon. 
• The Vikings took the season series over the Bears, 3-1.

Salem State will return back to Central Campus Baseball Field this Friday, April 12 to face Westfield State for a MASCAC matchup. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.