Vikings defeat Bears 7-1 in conference opener

Bridgewater, Mass. --   Traverse Briana (Lynn, Mass.) went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and Andrew McLaughlin (Peabody, Mass.) threw a complete game as Salem State defeated Bridgewater State 7-1 in their MASCAC opener of Friday afternoon. McLaughlin struck out nine batters while allowing eight hits and one run in improving to 3-0 on the year.

The Vikings (7-5, 1-0) took a 2-0 lead in the second on an RBI single by Brianna and a sacrifice fly from Mike Griffin (Hudson, N.H.). Griffin's RBI double was part of a three-run sixth by Salem State, which extended their led 5-0. The Vikings added two more runs in the eighth on a fielder's choice and the fifth Bears' error of the day.  

Meanwhile, McLaughlin cruised into the bottom of the eighth, allowing just four singles, until Bridgewater State (3-7, 0-1) loaded the bases with one out. Jonathan Livolsi (Bridgewater, Mass.) scored the first run of the game for Bridgwater State with a sacrifice fly, but McLaughlin worked out of the jam by getting Dominic Precopio (Framingham, Mass.) to fly out to right. 

Jarrett Archambault (Seekonk, Mass.) took the loss, thrwoing 6.0 innings while allowing two earned runs with a walk and two strikeouts.