Salem State's Seven Run Seventh Stops Eastern Nazarene

QUINCY, Mass. -- Traverse Briana went 2-for-3 with two doubles and Brahiam Ortega reached base three times, including a double with three RBI and two runs scored as Salem State defeated Eastern Nazarene 14-6 on Tuesday evening. The Vikings move above .500 (18-17) while the Lions go to 20-17-1. The win avenges an earlier 6-5 loss to Eastern Nazarne on April 12.

The Lions jumped out to a 4-0 advantage in the the second. Leading, 1-0, Tyler Bean hit a three-home run to left, giving Eastern Nazarene a four-run lead. Salem State battled back, scoring a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Hunter Leroux-Porter's RBI double and Juan Jacobo Lopez's run scoring single regained the lead for Eastern Nazarene in the sixth.

However, the Vikings rallied, scoring seven runs in the seventh to take a commanding 11-6 lead. Briana produced the first run with a bases loaded walk. Zack Piroh added a two-run single and Bobby Jellison followed with an RBI single to right. A bases loaded walk to Samuel Erskine made the score 10-6 before TJ Beninati capped the scoring with an RBI groundout.

Ortega extended the lead in the eighth with a three-run double, putting Salem State on top 14-6.

Juan Hurtado started for Salem State, one of five pitchers used by the Vikings. Hurtado went two innings, allowing four runs on four hits with a walk. Chris Smith followed with three solid innings, giving up a run on three hits with three strikeouts. Trevor Xenos earned the win with an inning of work, allowing a run on two hits with a strikeout. Carl Beatrice and John Mondello combined to pitch three innings of scoreless relief, which included four strikeouts, to close out the game.

Briley Seiter opened the game on the mound for the Lions, going four innings and allowing two runs on three hits with two walks. Kelvin Cortez took the loss, pitching two innings and giving up five runs on three hits and three walks as Eastern Nazarene used six pitchers on the night.

Tim Catalano and Jellison each finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI combined.