Salem State, Westfield State Split Final Series

SALEM, Mass. --   Emily Carter (Warwick, R.I.) went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI and starter Grace DuBois (Newton, N.H.) fired a four-hitter as Salem State defeated Westfield State 10-2 in a six-inning game one doubleheader victory. Alyssa Clark (Uxbridge, Mass.) belted a two-run home run in the top of the seventh, breaking a 3-3 tie as the Owls salvaged a split with a 5-4 victory over the Vikings in the second game. Salem State ends their season with a record of 5-15 while Westfield State caps their season 9-19. 

The Vikings honored three members of its senior class in a ceremony in-between games. Sydney Chiasson (Hudson, Mass.), Dominique Del Vecchio (Stoneham, Mass.) and Mikayla Porcaro (Amesbury, Mass.) were all recognized for their commitment and dedication to the program.

Game One

Alyssa Clark (Uxbridge, Mass.) belted a two-run home run in the top of the first to give Westfield State a quick 2-0 lead. Starter Grace DuBois (Newton, N.H.) struggled in the opening frame, but a 6-3 double play started by shortstop Gracie Hogan (Northbridge, Mass.) ended the threat. 

Salem State scored eight runs in the bottom of the third to to take an 8-2 lead. Hogan and Emily Carter (Warwick, R.I.) singled to open the inning. A throwing error plated two before Rebecca Walker (Lynn, Mass.) knocked in a pair of runs with a base hit to right. Brenna Welch (Halifax, Mass.) then replaced Westfield State starter Kiki Carrigan (North Adams, Mass.). A groundout to second by Mikayla (Porcaro) Amesbury, Mass.) and Hogan's second hit of the inning made it 6-2 in favor of the Vikings. Carter then added her second hit of the inning, a two-run double to left that scored Shyanne Greene (Dracut, Mass.), who had walked, and Hogan. 

Carrigan (0-2) allowed six runs, two earned on six hits with a strikeout. 

The Vikings added two runs in the bottom of the sixth, on two Westfield State errors and a walk to end the game.

Dubois (2-5) gave up just two runs on four hits, with a pair of strikeouts and three walks. The junior only allowed four baserunners after the first inning. Hogan went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.

Game Two

The Owls threatened again in the top of the first of game two. Following a hit by Emily Arredondo (Woburn, Mass.), Clark blasted a double off the centerfield fence. A walk loaded the bases with one out, but starter Sierra Ricci (Greene, R.I.) pitched out of the jam, recording a flyout and strikeout to end the inning.

Three straight hits to open the third by Lindsay Cordopatri (Walpole, Mass.), Arredondo, and Clark gave the Owls a 1-0 lead. Madison Philbrook (Westhampton, Mass.) laced a double into right center scoring Clark for a 2-0 Westfield State lead. However, back-to-back strikeouts by Ricci stranded runners on second and third. 

The Vikings took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Payton Jeffers (Holly Ridge, N.C.) led off with a double to deep right. An error put two runners on for Porcaro, who tied the game with a double to leftcenter. An RBI groundout by Hogan put Salem State up 3-2. 

Trailing 3-2 in the seventh, Westfield State rallied for three runs to re-take the lead. Back-to-back doubles by Cordopatri and Arredondo tied the game before Clark belted her second home run of the day to left, giving Westfield State a 5-3 lead.

Chiasson, doubled in a run in the bottom of the seventh for Salem State, but Owls' starter Arredondo recorded the final two outs to strand the tying run.

Arredondo (4-8) allowed four runs - two earned - in the victory with one strikeout. Ricci (2-5) was tagged with the loss, going, 6.1 innings, giving up five runs on five hits with six strikeouts and a walk. Carter closed out the game with a scoreless seventh. 

Clark finished 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. Arredondo went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run and RBI to help her cause.