Vikings Sweep Buccaneers in Heroic Fashion

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass.- Salem State softball welcomed the Buccaneers from Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) for their first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) double header of the season. The Vikings came from behind in both games to seal the walk off victories (7-6, 6-5) and increase their record to 4-6 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Game 1

• In the opening inning of the game the Buccaneers crossed the plate twice to give them an early 2-0 edge.
• Maritime doubled their lead in the fourth inning after a Kelsey Booker (Corning, N.Y.) double brought two runners around before her squad added another run in the fifth to take the 5-0 lead.
• The Vikings made some noise in the home half of the fifth after Alanis Toledano (Boston, Mass.) secured the Vikings their first run of the game when her double brought Allison Frost (Auburn, Mass.) home. Shortly after, Toledano herself would cross the plate thanks to a single from Dawn Eisnor (Medford, Mass.). The Vikings would find their last run of the inning from a sacrifice bunt, making it a 5-3 game to enter the sixth.
• The Buccaneers added another run to their tally in the sixth to put Salem behind 6-3.
• The Vikings brought out the heroics in the bottom of the seventh when a single from Isabella Perrotti (Winthrop, Mass.) brought two runners across the plate before a throwing error from the catcher would bring the tying and winning runner home for Salem State, securing their 7-6 victory in game one.

Game 2

• After holding the slight 1-0 edge after three innings, the Buccaneers built on their lead in the fifth inning when three runners crossed the plate to make it a 4-0 game.
• The Vikings tied the game at four in the sixth inning after aggressive base running and an Emily Henning (Grafton, Mass.) single accounted for three of their four runs.
• The 4-4 stalemate would hold through the seventh inning to force extra innings where both teams would tack a run to their tallies making it a 5-5 game to enter the ninth inning.
• The Vikings defense held the Buccaneers hitless in the top of the ninth to set themselves up for another walk off victory, which they delivered on after a sacrifice fly from Stephanie Grassi (Cambridge, Mass.) brought Mackenzie DeSantis (Ridge, N.Y.) home for the winning run (6-5).

Noteworthy

• Toledano went 3 for 3 from the plate in the Vikings game one victory.
• Katherine Quigley (Ipswich, Mass.) was credited with both wins to give her a 2-0 start on the young season.
• After tonight's victories the Vikings have won three of their four wins in walk off fashion.
• Salem State will remain at Alumni Field to take on the Pilgrims of New England College for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 26. Game times are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.