Salem State Tops MCLA on Senior Day

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State scored seven runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by a base-loaded double off the left field fence by EJ Field to cruise to a 12-4 victory over MCLA  in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game at The Central Campus Baseball Field on Friday afternoon. The Vikings improve to 9-25 on the season and go to 6-13 in the MASCAC. The Trailblazers slide to 10-26 and 3-16 in the conference.

Salem State honored graduate students Brahiam Ortega (Lawrence, Mass.) and Carl Beatrice (Wilmington, Mass.), who were playing in the final home game of their career, in a pre-game ceremony.

Salem State took a first inning lead as a fielding error by MCLA produced the first run of the game. An RBI single by Rob Correia tied the game for the Trailblazers in the top of the second. The Vikings increased their cushion as TJ Beninati's RBI single in the third made it a 3-1 game. An Owen Duggan single to center and double to left by Conor Dolan made it a 4-1 game in the fourth. Noel Medina cut the lead in half with a run-scoring single in the top of the fifth for the Trailblazers. 

Both starrting pitchers were replaced in the sixth as Kyle Banche came in for Bobby Jellison and Aidan Brett replaced MCLA starter Nate Morse. Jake Boucher made it a 5-2 game with an RBI single in the sixth. The Vikings flashed their leather in the seventh as shortstop Ortega and third baseman Duggan both made outstanding plays to end the inning. Salem State then sent 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the inning to put the game away. The Vikings produced three hits, the big blow by Field that cleared the bases and added runs on hits by Aidan Lynch and Ortega. Salem State also took advantage of two Trailblazer errors that led to a run-scoring groundout by Duggan and a sacrifice fly from Beninati.

A two-run single by Randy Adams in the top of the ninth closed the scoring as the Vikings settled for a 12-4 victory.

Both teams used four pitchers in the game with Jellison earning his second win (2-6), going 5.0 innings with eight hits allowed, an earned run with a walk and three strikeouts. Morse (1-5) suffered the loss, pitching 5.0 innings with four runs - one earned on six hits with two walks.

Boucher went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Dolan had two hits in three trips to the plate with three runs and an RBI. Field finished with a double and three RBI's for Salem State.  

Clarence Givhans had a pair of hits, including a triple and two runs scored while Jayco Pena went 3-for-5 for MCLA.