Baseball clinches playoff berth with wild split at Salem State

Release courtesy of Salem State Sports Information

SALEM, MASS. --  MCLA scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to pull out a 5-2 victory over Salem State in the first game their scheduled MASCAC doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings looked like they won the contest in the bottom of the seventh on a game-winning double by Kyle O'Connor (Lynn, Mass.), but the run was disallowed after contact was made with another player by the runner before touching home plate. The Vikings came back and shutout the Trailblazers 11-0 in the second game behind a five-hitter by Brock Riley (Lowell, Mass.). Salem State goes to 19-16 and 8-6 in the conference while MCLA slips to 13-14-1 and 6-7-1 in the league.   

Salem State recognized seven members of its senior class in a ceremony in between games. Joe White (Bellingham, Mass.), Jose Cedano (Lawrence, Mass.), Alex Toomey (Beverly, Mass.), Steve Leavitt (Peabody, Mass.), Ryan Kelleher (Hanover, Mass.), Mac Daniel Singelton (Everett, Mass.) and RJ Warnock (North Reading, Mass.) were all honored for their commitment and dedication to the baseball program. 

Game 1

Liam Nolan (Pittsfield, Mass.) pitched a complete game to earn the win, allowing no earned runs on eight hits with 10 strikeouts. The Trailblzers scored a run in the first on a Brett LaBonte (Wareham, Mass.) single. An RBI groundout by Bill Pulasky (Pittsfield, Mass.) made it 2-0 in the third.

Nolan allowed only three hits until the fifth, when an error put Mac Daniel Singleton (Everett, Mass.) on first. A stolen base by Singleton advanced him to second before Kyle O'Connor (Lynn, Mass.) lined a two-out triple to left to score the first Vikings' run. Joe White (Bellingham, Mass.) then tied the game with a base hit to right. 

In the eighth, Logan Rumboldt (North Adams, Mass.) hit a two-out double to break the 2-2 tie before Tyler Cowdrey (Dalton, Mass.) provided some insurance with a two-run single, giving MCLA a three-run lead heading into the bottom of the inning. 

Steve Leavitt (Peabody, Mass.) took the loss, going eight innings and allowing five runs (one earned) on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

Game 2

Matt Marquez (Salem, Mass.) put Salem State on top in the first with an RBI double to left. The Vikings then jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the third as Salem State sent 11 batters to the plate. Marquez added another RBI on a base hit and O'Connor followed with a two-run triple to right. MCLA starter Bobby New (Pittsfield, Mass.) was replaced by Brendan Kelly (Averill Park, N.Y.). A Singleton hit and wild pitch made it 7-0 before Alex Toomey (Beverly, Mass.) collected his second hit of the inning with an RBI single for an eight-run Vikings' lead. 

Salem State made it 10-0 in the fourth as Brendan Greene (Winchester, Mass.) singled in a run and Pat Fitzgerald (Auburn, Mass.) added a sacrifice fly. Shawn Rebello (Milford, Mass.) pushed the lead to 11-0 with a single in the fifth. 

Meanwhile, Riley allowed just four base hits over the first six innings before finishing with a five-hitter. Riley notched three strikeouts and allowed just one walk in improving to 6-2.

New took the loss as the Trailblazers used six pitchers on the afternoon. New went 2.1 innings, giving up six runs (five earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts and a walk.   

Rumbolt had two hits for MCLA. Salem State's Singleton (3-for-4) and Toomey (3-for-3) combined for six hits, two runs and two RBI.