Baseball Takes Game Two in Split with Salem State

Salem, Mass.  – The Framingham State University baseball team received a homer and two RBI from Anthony Herman as the Rams took game two of a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) double header 7-5 over Salem State University. The Vikings took the opener 8-4. 

THE BASICS:

- Scores:         Salem State 8, Framingham State 4
                        Framingham State 7, Salem State 5

- Records:      Framingham State (9-12, 2-6 MASCAC), Salem State (6-7, 3-3 MASCAC)

- Location:     Central Campus Field – Salem, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Game 1 -

• In the opener, starting pitchers Jimmy Burton and Anthony Panza each took a shutout into the fourth inning.
• Salem State broke through first, scoring two runs on four consecutive hits with two outs to take a 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Jake Sefrino and EJ Field in the top of the inning.
• The Rams responded in the bottom of the inning scoring three runs. Herman tied the game with a two-run single to right. Cam Gilroy followed with a base hit to left, giving Framingham State a 3-2 lead. 
• Burton left the game in favor of John Mondello who allowed just one run in 3.2 innings of relief.
• The Vikings grabbed the lead for good in the fifth on a two run double from Zach Piroh and Treverse Briana extended the lead to 5-3 with a single to center.  The Vikings added a single run in the sixth pushing the lead to 6-2.
• Back-to-back hits and a double steal by Herman and Chris Iannetta generated another run for the Rams in the sixth, but Brihaim Ortega iced the game with a two run home run to right in the top of the seventh as the Vikings went on to win 8-4.

Game 2 -

• In game two, the Rams plated three runs in the second inning.  An RBI single by JC Espinal plated the first run. A double steal and base hit by Mike Ryan gave the Rams a 3-0 lead.
• The Vikings answered in the bottom of the inning. Back-to-back singles by Jake Boucher and Piroh drew Salem State to within a run. Briana followed with a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 3-3.
• Espinal ripped a triple to left center, scoring Andrew Caulfield (Malden, Mass.) for a 4-3 Rams' lead in the third. Later, Herman extended the lead to 6-3 with an inside-the-park home run off the right center field fence.
• Rebello got one back for Salem State in the sixth, with a two-out single to center. An error by the second baseman made the score 6-5 before Kevin Scerra replaced DeCoste with runners on first and second. Scerra worked out of the jam, preserving the one-run lead.
• Framingham State loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth with one out. Ryan Boyle added an insurance run with a fielder's choice, before a fly out to right ended the inning.
• Meanwhile, Scerra earned his first save of the season, retiring the side in order in the ninth. DeCoste picked up the win, allowing two runs – one earned – on one hit with a pair of walks and five strikeouts.
• Espinal went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI for Framingham State. Boucher had two hits in two at-bats for the Vikings with a run scored and RBI.

UP NEXT:

Both teams are back at it tomorrow in Salem for a pair of games at 1 p.m.