Boucher's Sacrifice Fly in Eighth Completes Vikings' Comeback

SALEM, Mass. -- Jake Boucher's (Cheshire, Conn.) one-out sacrifice fly in the eighth broke a 3-3 tie as Salem State erased a 3-0 deficit to comeback and defeat Westfield State in the first game of their three-game Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) series on Friday afternoon at The Central Campus Baseball Field. The Vikings even their record at 13-13 and go to 5-6 in the MASCAC. The Owls are now 15-12 and 6-5 in conference. 

Tied 3-3 in the eighth, Christian Burt (Lynn, Mass.) and Bobby Jellison (Salem, Mass.) hit back-to-back singles off reliever Sean Casey (Amston, Conn.). A sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to Brahiam Ortega (Lawrence, Mass.) loaded the bases, setting up Boucher who hit a deep fly ball to left to score Burt. Boucher, who started the day at second, took the mound in the ninth, and retired the side in order, striking out two to earn his third save of the season. Greg Gentle (Arlington, Mass.) was the pitcher of record for the Salem State, earning the win with one inning of work. Casey took the loss, allowing a run on two hits while issuing an intentional walk.

A lead-off walk and two hits led to an Ethan Day (Meriden, Conn.) sacrifice fly, giving Westfield State a 1-0 first inning lead. The Owls added two more runs in the second. Max Silverman (Westford, Mass.) led-off with a double and two hit batters by starter Matt Consigli (Northbridge, Mass.) loaded the bases for Nolan Florence (Chicopee, Mass.), who delivered a two-run single to left.  

Salem State leftfielder Tim Catalano (Brewster, N.Y.) prevented a run in the fourth, throwing out Nick Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.), who had doubled, out at the plate on a base-hit by Samuel Palmer (Medfield, Mass.). Kyle Banche (Torrington, Conn.) replaced Matt Consigli in the top of the fifth. Consigli was charged with three runs on eight hits with a walk and two hit batters.

A two-out single and walk in the sixth produced Salem State's first run as Jellison slipped a ball through the middle scoring EJ Field (Gloucester, Mass.).

Ortega and Catalano singles in the seventh chased starter Nate Langmeier (East Granby, Conn.) with one out. Joseph Fischer (Avon, Mass) relieved Langmeir and was greeted with an RBI single by Zach Piroh (Stratford, Conn.) before Jake Sefrino (Dartmouth, Mass.) tied the game 3-3 with an RBI groundout. Langmeier went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts and a walk.

Burt, Jellison and Wilbur Rosario Morel (Lynn, Mass.) all had multiple hit games for the Vikings. Martin and Silverman each went 2-for-4 for the Owls while Casey Boudreau (Shrewsbury, Mass.) added two hits in three at-bats.