Gordon Topples Salem State 14-6

SALEM, Mass. -- CJ Demers went 5-for-5 with a double, three runs scored and two RBI to lead Gordon to a 14-6 win over Salem State in the Vikings' home opener on Tuesday afternoon at The Central Campus Baseball Field. The Fighting Scots are now 3-7 on the year while Salem State slips to 2-7.

Demers gave Gordon an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a ground-rule double that scored Andrew Hartman. The Fighting Scots broke the game open with a five-run third inning as Hunter Simpson and Ben Chase, who had two of the Fighting Scots' five triples in the game, connected for back-to-back triples, plating three runs.

Salem State starter Brad Feeder, (0-1) who lasted two innings took the loss, after giving up a run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Reliever Jake Usenia struggled in the third and was charged with seven runs on 12 hits with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings.

EJ Field and Devin Fuegen got the Vikings on the scoreboard, scoring two runs with a double and single respectively in the third. A passed ball and wild pitch drew Salem State to within 8-4 in the fifth.

The Vikings Carl Beatrice, who came into the game in the fifth, had a strong outing, striking out five consecutive batters after allowing a leadoff walk. Fuegen's second home run of the year made it an 8-5 game in the eighth, but Gordon responded with a six-run ninth to put the game away. Hartman and Demers drove in three of the runs on back-to-back singles before Jonathan McIntyre plated two more with a two-run triple to center.

Zack Fay picked up his first win of the season (1-0), going 4.1 innings and allowing one earned run on four hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Ben Chase had a 4-for-5 day at the plate with four runs scored for the Fighting Scots. Fuegen finished 3-for-5 with two runs driven in. Brahiam Ortega had two hits in four at-bats with two runs scored for the Vikings.