Piroh Powers Vikings to Doubleheader Sweep

SALEM, Mass. – Zach Piroh (Bridgeport, Conn.) went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI and starter Jack Sefrino (Dartmouth, Mass.) pitched a complete game as Salem State defeated Framingham State 9-3 in the first game of their scheduled doubleheader on Saturday at The Central Campus Baseball Field. Piroh followed up with a 3-for-4 effort and two RBI in an 8-6 Vikings' win in game two as Salem State completed the sweep. The Vikings improve to 8-7 on the year while the Rams slip to 9-14.

Game One

Sefrino scattered eight hits and allowed three runs – two earned –  with eight strikeouts and two walks in earning his second win (2-1) of the season. Framingham State took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single by Andrew Caulfield (Malden, Mass.). The Vikings responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring four times to take a 4-1 lead. Traverse Briana (Lynn, Mass.) knocked in the first run with a base hit to left. An error plated the second run before Shawn Rebello (Bellingham, Mass.) added a two-run single.

The Rams produced a single run in the second as Anthony Herman (Stratford, Conn.) scored from third on a throwing error by the catcher on an attempted steal.

Framingham State starter Lucas Johnsen (Falmouth, Mass.) lasted two innings, allowing four runs on four hits before being pulled.

A Tim Catalano (Brewster, N.Y.) double and Jomar Moreta (Lynn, Mass.) single made it 6-2 in favor of the Vikings in the third. Trailing 7-2 in the sixth, the Rams threatened with four hits in the inning. Bobby Higgins (Barnstable, Mass.) doubled in a run, but poor base running by Framingham State, ended the threat as two runners were thrown out at third. Zach Piroh (Bridgeport, Conn.) made the score 9-3 with a two- run single in the bottom of the sixth.  

Salem State's top four batters went 8-for-15 with four RBI and six runs scored. Christian Burt (Lynn, Mass.) and Jake Boucher (Cheshire, Conn.) each collected two hits for the Vikings. Caulfield and Chris Iannetta (Watertown, Mass.) each went 2-for-3 for Framingham State.

Game Two

The Rams once again jumped on top first taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two-run error by the rightfielder.

Salem State tagged Framingham State starter Ryan Morry (Attleboro, Mass.) with six runs in the bottom of the second inning to open up a 6-2 lead. Brahiam Ortega's (Lawrence, Mass.) sacrifice bunt scored the first run. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Boucher, who delivered a two-run single to centerfield. Piroh doubled in two more runs before EJ Field (Gloucester, Mass.) added the sixth run on Salem State's fifth hit of the inning. Erik Zine (Wareham, Mass.) replaced Morry and after hitting a batter to load the bases, worked out of the jam without further damage. Morry was charged with six runs – five earned – on six hits wit three walks and a strikeout.    

Kevin Girardin (Littleton, Mass.) tripled in the third Rams' run in the top of the third. Boucher increased the Salem State lead to 8-3 in the bottom of the inning with a two-run single to left.

An error and triple by Kyle Bolger (North Attleboro, Mass.) chased Salem State starter Dylan McCormick (South Kingstown, R.I.) in the fourth. McCormick left the game after allowing five runs – two earned –on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Carl Beatrice (Wilmington, Mass.) came on in the top of the fourth and Framingham State drew closer as Bolger scored on a wild pitch.

An RBI double by JC Espinal (Peabody, Mass.) made the score 8-6 in the fifth. However, consecutive strikeouts by Beatrice ended the threat.

Framingham State made one final attempt tie the game, placing runners on first and second with one out in the sixth. Kyle Banche (Torrington, Conn.) came on in relief of Beatrice and retired the next two batters to preserve the lead. Banche, who allowed only one hit in 1. 2 innings pitched, recorded a scoreless seventh to earn his first save of the year. Beatrice picked up the win in 2.1 innings of work, giving up just a run on three hits with three strikeouts and a pair of walks.

Boucher finished with two hits and a run with four RBI for the Vikings. Girardin went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Rams.