Ortega's Ninth Inning Single Lifts Vikings Past Falcons

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Salem State erased a three-run deficit, scoring four runs over the final two innings, including two in the ninth inning to earn an 11-10 come-from-behind victory over the Fitchburg State Falcons on Sunday at Riccards Field. Trailing 10-9  in the final frame, Jack Sefrino (Dartmouth, Mass.) hit a one-out single to score pinch-runner Tim Catalano (Brewster, N.Y.), who came in after a double by Zach Piroh (Bridgeport, Conn.), to tie the score at 10-10. One batter later, Brahiam Ortega (Lawrence, Mass.) delivered the game-winning run on a base hit to left as the Vikings (2-1) took two-of-three from the Falcons over their weekend series.

The Vikings opened the game with singles from Shawn Rebello (Bellingham, Mass.) and Jake Boucher Cheshire, Conn.) to set the table for Jack Sefrino (Dartmouth, Mass.) who delivered a single to centerfield for the 2-0 lead. Salem would double the score to lead 4-0 after one frame.

Salem State added another run on a groundout RBI from Boucher in the top of the second inning to push the lead to 5-1.

The Falcons (1-6) scratched out a run in the bottom of the third. In a failed pick-off attempt of Nicholas Cordeau (Melrose, Mass.), teammate Jamie Velez (Lowell, Mass.) scampered home from third. In the next frame the Falcons cut the deficit to 5-4. Junior Vincent Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) led off the inning with an infield single, Brad Keefe (Dracut, Mass.) followed with a single to left center. Senior Cameron Donahue (Methuen, Mass.) plated Eramo with a whistling single to left field and Zachary May (Rochdale, Mass.) added a RBI single to centerfield.

Salem State added a pair of runs in the 6^th frame after capitalizing on a Green and Gold miscue, Wilbur Rosario (Lynn, Mass.) delivered a two RBI single to left field. 

The Falcons would score the next six runs, three in the sixth and three in the seventh to take a 10-7 lead. May, Keefe and Richard Sharp (Townsend, Mass.) each had RBI singles in the sixth. In the seventh with one out and Donahue on after a leadoff double, Cordeau laced a single to left field scoring Donahue. Cordeau came around to score on Jackson Vail's (Grafton, Mass.) double to centerfield. Senior Matthew Pingitore (Rutland, Mass.) had a pinch hit single to score Vail.

Vikings' starter Dylan McCormick (Gloucester, Mass.), who went three innings, allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts did not figure in the decision. Salem State used five pitchers on the afternoon with Nicholas Rector (Mantua, N.J.) earning his first victory after throwing 2.2 scoreless innings in relief. Rector struck out three while only allowing two hits.

Matthew Ambrosino (Bradenton, Fla) took the loss on the bump, going 2.1 innings with with four runs allowed - two earned - on four hits with a strikeout.

Sefrino had the big day for Salem State, going 2-for-5 with 3 RBI, while Ortega collected two hits in five trips to the plate. Wilbur Rosario Morel (Lynn, Mass.) added 2 RBI's. 

Cordeau and Keefe each had three hits for the Falcons, who had 17 as a team.

(With contributions from Fitchburg State Sports Information)