Salem State Clipped 2-0 in NCAA Regional Opener

WHITEWATER, Wis. – No. 6 Salem State lost 2-0 to No. 1 Adrian (Mich.) in the opener of the 2021 NCAA Baseball Regional hosted by Wisconsin-Whitewater on Thursday. The Vikings will play the loser between No. 5 Luther and No. 2 Wisconsin-Whitewater tomorrow at 11:00 AM (CDT) in the double elimination tournamnet.  

Starter Jack Sefrino pitched well for the Vikings, throwing a complete game and allowing just two earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts, However, Adiran's Pierce Banks did not allow a run in seven strong innings of four-hit ball to help the Bulldogs advance to the winners bracket.

Gunner Rainey provided both runs for Adrian with RBI groundouts in the first and third innings. Banks made the lead stand up, striking out three and allowing four walks before Spencer Ford and Jacob Hanoian combined for two scoreless innings with Hanoian picking up the save by retiring the side in order in the ninth.

Shawn Rebello had a 2-for-4 day for the Vikings, but the offense was mostley silenced by the Bulldog pitchers. Salem State's best scoring chance came in the sixth, when Zach Piroh and Rebello provided back-to-back hits with one out. Banks pitched out of the jam, retiring the next two batters, preserving the 2-0 lead.