Trailblazers Swept by Vikings

North Adams – The Trailblazers dropped two today to the visiting Vikings of Salem State despite receiving two pretty good pitching performances from starters Daniel Gaines and Sean Hermance.

The Vikings also got two good outings from their starters; the difference in the games was that the Vikings didn't beat themselves.

MCLA lost game one 9-1, as the Trailblazers committed seven errors, allowing for the Vikings to plate six unearned runs.

Salem scored two in the second without the benefit of a hit. Matt Burgess reached on a bad hop error by Paul Procopio to lead off the inning and advanced to second when Kyle McElroy reached on a sacrifice bunt when first-baseman Bobby Beauchesne dropped the throw from Gaines. Both runners advanced two bases when the following batter bunted as well, Gaines fielded the bunt and threw to third, but Procopio dropped the throw for his second error of the inning and the ball got past him allowing Burgess to score. Gaines Pitched out of the rest of the inning allowing one more run.

Salem tacked on three more in the third, when they loaded the bases with one out via two walks and a single. The Vikings already had one run in when Steve Butkus doubled in two more making it 5-1.

Viking starter Jeff Borges was in control from there as he allowed just three hits and a run going the distance.

Salem scored four in the sixth as the Trailblazers committed three more errors in the inning. Gaines (4-2) wasn't bad going five and two-thirds allowing seven hits and three earned runs. Procopio was 2-2 with a run scored in game one and Mike Meaney had the Trailblazers' lone RBI.

Game two started much the same way as Salem plated an unearned run in the first off Hermance. The Vikings then went up 3-0 in the third. Kevin Salines reached with one out on an Osiris Mendez error at first, with two outs Salines scored on an RBI single by Chris Cocci. Salem would put one more up in the frame.

The Trailblazers tried to make some noise in the bottom of the inning when John Ripepi was hit by a pitch, Rick Massey walked and Procopio was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. However, Cory Collins got Mendez to ground into a 5-3 double play ending the threat.

It was 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth when MCLA came alive, Procopio led off with his fourth hit of the day and the Mendez doubled him home to get MCLA on the board. Joe Parillo singled in Mendez with one out, but was left stranded.

MCLA tried to rally in the seventh against Vikings closer Andrew Guido twice putting the tying run at the plate, but Guido got a big double play and got Procopio to pop up to second to end the game.

Collins earned the win for Salem and Hermance took the loss. Hermance went the distance surrendering eight hits and four runs, but only one earned.

MCLA is PPD tomorrow and will host Westfield State Tuesday afternoon. Salem State will be at Becker on Monday.