Bucs Clip Vikings 2-1

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass.  -- Traverse Briana hit a fourth inning home run for Salem State, but Mass Maritime led by starting pitcher Justin Brown held off the Vikings for a 2-1 victory in the opening game of their Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) three-game series on Friday at Hendy Field. The Buccaneers improve to 20-11 and 12-4 in the conference. The Vikings go to 16-16 and 7-9 in the MASCAC.

Brown pitched eight innings, allowing just a run on seven hits with a strikeout and two walks. Brendan Baiardi earned the save in an inning of work. Jack Sefrino took the mound for the Vikings, and pitched well in the loss, allowing two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

The teams played a scoreless first three innings. In the fourth, Brown allowed a home run to Briana which gave Salem State a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, the Bucs got that run back and took the lead. Sylvia walked, Pietrafesa singled, Brett Velzis moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt and Henderson drom in the runs on a single.

Up 2-1, Brown continued to cruise into the late innings. Neither team could muster up a run even though Salem State had a runner at third with one out in the late innings.

Traverse Briana had three hits in the game, including a double and a home run and was a triple away from the cycle for Salem State.

Alex Schlapak had three hits in the game, Aidan Henderson had two hits, including a double and two RBI.

AJ Pietrafesa and A.J. Luciano each had one hit. Luciano's was a double.