Decisive Fifth Inning Grounds Owls in Loss to Salem

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State senior Dan Burnett (Granville, Mass.) launched his conference-leading eighth home run of the season, but a seven-run fifth inning from Salem State proved to be the difference in a 13-8 Owls loss in a MASCAC matchup from Hagan Field on Thursday afternoon.

The Owls drop the series opener, moving to 16-7 on the season and 3-4 in the conference. The Vikings pull even in the standings with Owls in the conference standings after the win, sitting at 7-22 overall.

Westfield pulled ahead in the first inning as Burnett ripped a solo home run out to left field for a 1-0 lead. Salem State took the lead in the third inning after a two out double from Connor Dolan (Rockland, Mass.), who also flashed defensively at second base for the entirety of the game.

Sam Palmer (Medfield, Mass.) responded for the Owls in the bottom half of the frame, punching a grounder down the left field line for a run-scoring single to knot the game up at two runs apiece.

The Vikings capitalized on a poor defensive frame from the Owls resulting in a sacrifice fly from Aidan Lynch (North Andover, Mass.) to give Salem the lead. Jake Boucher (Wallingford, Conn.) added to the lead with a single to left to plate a fourth run.

In the fifth inning, Salem separated themselves in an inning which saw them accumulate seven runs on five hits. Leading 5-2, Michael Buccaro (Stratford, Conn.) singled up the middle to drive in two. Salem recorded three consecutive hits, a walk, then another hit to open an 11-2 advantage through four and a half innings.

In the sixth inning, Jacob Lucas (Rutland, Mass.) and Chase Racine (Pittsfield, Mass.) totaled back-to-back run-scoring hits to trim the deficit to seven runs, but Nolan Currier (Maynard, Mass.) had the answer in the ensuing top half, belting a two-out, two-run double into the left centerfield gap.

Westfield three runs in the seventh then added another in the ninth, but dug themselves too big a deficit to climb out of in an eventual defeat. Nick Marshall (Reading, Mass.) supplied a RBI double in the seventh, then added a RBI single in the ninth.

The Owls threw six different arms in the game with Dominic Novio (Mansfield, Mass.) getting the start, allowing eight runs (five earned) on seven hits across 4.1 innings. He walked three and fanned four. Vikings starter Aidan Carabello (Wallingford, Conn.) pitched six innings, picking up the win while allowing six runs (five earned).

Westfield State and Salem State will continue their regular season series on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at noon at Salem, Mass.