Eisnor Leads Vikings to Game Two Victory

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass.- Salem State softball welcomed Lasell University for a Thursday night doubleheader at Alumni Field.  The Lasers took game one by a score of 7-1 before the Vikings answered with a five-run opening frame in game two to guide them to the 11-8 victory. The split on the evening put the Vikings overall record at 10-18.

Game One

• After three innings the Lasers found themselves up a pair of runs before the Vikings cut their lead in half in fourth inning after Samantha Gaona (Billerica, Mass.) grounded out to second base to bring home Stephanie Grassi (Cambridge, Mass.).  
• The Lasers built on their lead in the fifth inning when a ground rule double and bunt put runners on the corners, setting the stage for a four-run inning. The next two batters were successful in bringing home the third and fourth run of the game before Abigail Fortin (North Smithfield, R.I.) drove home the sixth run of the game with an opposite field base hit to the right side increasing the lead to five with the score 6-1.
• The Vikings recorded their first two hits of the game during the sixth inning when both Dawn Eisnor (Medford, Mass.) and Gaona reached on a base hit, however, the Lasers would hold on for the 7-1 victory.  

Game Two

• The Vikings exploded for five runs in the first stanza, with the duo of Paige Souza (New Bedford, Mass.) and Mackenzie DeSantis (Ridge, N.Y.) recording two RBIs apiece.
• Salem was able to add another run before the Lasers answered in the third frame with single to right field that would bring a runner around for their first tally of the game.
• An inning later the Lasers would rally with three hits to tally four runs and make it a 6-5 game to head into the home half of the fourth, where Eisnor would once again increase her squad's lead with a single through the left side to bring the score to 7-5.
• Once again Eisnor proved to be the answer in the bottom of the sixth when she notched her fourth RBI of the game with a ground rule double. From there the Vikings would add three more runs to give them the 11-6 edge after six.
• The Lasers would add a pair of runs to their total but that would be as close as they would get as the Vikings' defense would strand two Lasers on base to capture the 11-8 victory in game two.  

NOTEWORTHY

• During the top of the fifth inning in game two Gaona made a sliding stop to her right side before flipping the ball to her second baseman to end the inning.
• Eisnor's four RBI performance in game two is the most in a single game for any Viking on the season.
• Gracie Martineau (Westminster, Mass.) secured the win in game two after pitching 6.1 innings.

Salem State will travel to Wenham, Massachusetts on April 25 to take on Gordon College for a non-conference doubleheader. Game times are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.