Salem State Takes Two From Trailblazers

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Salem State swept its three-game series with MCLA on Saturday at Bobby Coombs Field. The Vikings won game one, 7-2 behind Mason Consigli, who allowed only two hits in 4.1 innings of work. Brock Pare struckout 10 while giving up two runs on three hits in game two as the Vikings banged out 12 hits in winning 13-2. Salem State finishes its regular season 21-17 and 11-10 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). The Trailblazers are now 11-27 and 2-19 in conference. The Vikings have earned the fifth seed and will play fourth seed Worcester State in the opening round of the MASCAC Tournament, which starts Thursday.  

Game One

Salem State scored five runs in the first taking advantage of five walks issued by starter Aidan Brett, who lasted only 0.1 innings. Tim Catalano, EJ Field and Bobby Jellison all walked with the bases loaded, forcing in three runs. Wilbur Rosario Morel laced a two-run double to left, making the score 5-0. Brett allowed five runs on just one hit allowed. Nate Morse relieved Brett and shutout the Vikings over the next four innings, allowing just four hits. 

Austin Rachiele put MCLA on the board in the second with a single to right, scoring Sam Larabee. Randy Adams then hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth to make it a 5-2 game. Greg Gentle replaced Consigli, who finished with five strikeouts and was charged with one earned run and five walks in the fifth. 

The Vikings added two runs in the seventh on a wild pitch and an RBI double by Zach Piroh. 

Jake Boucher, Piroh and TJ Beninati all went 2-for-4 for Salem State. Rachiele finished 2-for-3 for the Trailblazers.  

Game Two

Leading, 3-0 in the second, Beninati made it 4-0 with a double to left. Piroh followed with an RBI single off starter Isaiah Tucker, who lasted only three innings, giving up six earned runs on 10 hits with three walks and three strikeouts. MCLA's  Jayco Pena hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the inning, making the score 5-2. Three more runs in the fourth pushed the score to 8-2 as Piroh added his second RBI of the game. Sefrino drove in his third run of the game without a hit walking with the bases loaded as Salem State increased their lead to 11-2. Alex Duffy added an RBI double in the sixth before Sefrino scored the final run on a wild pitch in the seventh. 

Banche retired the side in order in the seventh as Pare earned the win. Sefrino finished 2-for-2 with three RBI and a run scored. Jake Boucher had a pair of hits and three runs scored. Piroh finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.