Vikings Sweep Doubleheader in Sunshine State

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

Auburndale, Fla.- Salem State baseball took on the Kangaroos of SUNY Canton before facing the Dutch of Central (Iowa) at Lake Myrtle Park on Thursday. The Vikings swept the doubleheader on Thursday afternoon by shutting out the Kangaroos, 9-0 behind a complete game shutout by freshman Cam Fisher (Burlington, Mass.) before scoring four runs in the top of the ninth for a 9-7 come-from-behind victory over the Dutch. Salem State is now 4-3 on the season.  

GAME One vs SUNY Canton

• Salem State's Fisher (Burlington, Mass.) retired eight of the first ten batters that he faced over the first three innings. 
• Both teams were scoreless throughout the first three innings of the game. However, in the fourth, the Vikings managed to breakthrough and scored three runs highlighted by Ryan Barberi's (Nashua, N.H.) two-run home run. 
• In the following inning, Salem State continued to add on runs, scoring three more and widening their lead. Edward Field (Gloucester, Mass.) stood on second base and Owen Duggan (Billerica, Mass.) third for the Vikings. With two outs, Barberi managed to deliver a base hit that scored both runners, allowing the Vikings to extend their lead to 6-0.
• Salem State had two runners on base in the sixth. That's when Mark Smith (East Haven, Conn.) stepped up to bat and hit a triple to right center field which brought in two more Vikings' runs, further extending their lead to a commanding 8-0.
• Salem State added one more in the seventh when Aidan Lynch's (North Andover, Mass.) sacrifice fly scored the ninth run of the game.  

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

• Barberi went 4 for 4, driving in four runs, while Smith went 2 for 4, driving in two runs. Barberi and Smith accounted for six of the Vikings' nine runs and went a combined 6 for 8 throughout the game.
• Fisher was the winning pitcher, pitching a complete game, five-hit shutout with five strikeouts.. 

Game Two vs Central (Iowa)

• Salem State trailed 7-5 in the ninth before scoring fours runs to beat the Dutch 9-7.
• Trailing 3-2 in the third, Smith's triple cleared the bases, giving Salem State a 3-2 lead.
• Barberi hit his second home run of the day, a solo shot in the eighth that made the score 7-5 in favor of Central.
• The Vikings used four hits in the ninth, highlighted by Barberi's two-out, two-run, go-ahead double that gave the Vikings an 8-7 lead. Nolan Currier (Maynard, Mass.) then added an insurance run with an RBI single. 
• Jake Boucher (Wallingford, Conn.) pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save of the season. 
• Brady Boucher (Taunton, Mass.) earned the win, pitching the eighth while not allowing a run.  
• Bobby Jellison (Salem, Mass.) started the game and lasted 2.2 innings, giving up six runs - one earned - on nine hits with a pair of strikeouts and walks. 

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

• Barberi continued his big day at the plate, adding a double. homerun three RBI and two runs.
• Field finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. 

What's Next?

• Salem State will conclude their spring break trip when they take on Maine Presque Isle at 9:15 a.m.