Vikings Defeat Falcons 9-2

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Brahiam Ortega went 3-for-4 with a walk and TJ Beninati added two doubles in four trips to the plate as Salem State defeated Fitchburg State 9-2 at Riccards Field in the first game of their three-game MASCAC series on Thursday. The Vikings even their conference record at 2-2 and up their overall record to 5-13. The Falcons go to 9-9 and 2-2 in the MASCAC. 

Salem State starter Bobby Jellison went 5.2 innings, striking out five while giving up two runs on four hits to pick up his first win of the season. 

The Vikings scored the game's first run with two outs in the third inning. Ortega singled to left field, stole second and came around to score on a single up the middle from Owen Duggan.

Salem State tacked on two more runs in the fourth, capitalizing on a balk from Falcons pitcher Orion Daily (Pepperell, Mass.) and an RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Tyler Wilson. The Vikings extended the lead to 5-0 with a two-run single from Jake Boucher in the top of the fifth.

Fitchburg State broke through in the sixth inning. Maxwell Kelly reached base on a fielder's choice and scored on a deep double to center field from Michael Cooper. Vincent Eramo stepped to the plate next and doubled in Cooper to cut the deficit to 6-2.

Salem State added three insurance runs in the ninth inning with Beninati capping the scoring on a double to left, bringing home EJ FIeld, who had singled. Greg Gentle and Jake Boucher combined to pitch two clean innings to seal the victory for the Vikings.

Fitchburg starter Orion Daily pitched 6.0 innings, allowing five earned runs on ten hits with six strikeouts in the loss.

Boucher finished 2-for-5 with three RBI while Field and Conor Dolan added two hits apiece for Salem State.

(Contributions for Fitchburg State Sports Information)