Jake Boucher Leads Vikings to Sweep of MCLA

SALEM, Mass. -- Jake Boucher struck out seven batters while throwing a two-hit shutout to lead Salem State to a 7-0 victory over MCLA on "Senior Day" at Alumni Field on Friday afternoon at The Central Campus Baseball Field. The Vikings are now 17-16 overall and 12-9 in the MASCAC. The Trailblazers end their season with a record of 5-30 and a 2-19 conference mark.

Before the game Salem State honored Jake Boucher (Wallingford, CT), Derek Angell (Whitinsville, MA), Connor Dolan (Rockland, MA), Nick Bamforth (Stoneham, MA) and Nick McIntyre (Beverly, MA) for their commitment and dedication to the Salem State baseball program. 

Boucher retired 22-of-24 hitters, including 13 in a row after allowing a first inning lead-off double to Benjamin Jacob in his first start to improve to 3-1 on the season. Ethan Stepputtis carried the offense with a 3-for-4 day, which included a triple, run scored and RBI. Nick Bamforth, who had three strikeouts, did not allow a hit in 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Joshua Bissaillon (0-7) suffered the loss, allowing six runs -- three earned -- on eight hits with two strikeouts and a walk. 

How It Happened:

• Connor Dolan singled in the game's first fun in the first, scoring Ethan Stepputtis from second base.
• Both starters put up zeroes over the next three innings with Boucher striking out five straight batters and six-of-seven over the first three innings.
• The Vikings broke the game open in the sixth, taking advantage of the Trailblazers' bullpen. Leading 2-0, Salem State sent 10 men to the plate. Nolan Currier plated the first two runs with a two-run double. An error followed by an RBI groundout by McIntyre brought home the third run of the inning. Angell made it 6-0 with a single to left center before Stepputtis added an RBI single, making the score 7-0.    

What's Next:

Salem State will await their seeding for the upcoming MASCAC Baseball Postseason Tournament, which begins next Thursday, May 8.