Owls Lose Lead to Salem Late, Fall in Series Opener, 4-3

SALEM, Mass. -- Jake Boucher's one-out sacrifice fly in the eighth broke a 3-3 tie as Salem State erased a 3-0 deficit to comeback and defeat Westfield State in the first game of their three-game Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) series on Friday afternoon at The Central Campus Baseball Field. The Vikings even their record at 13-13 and go to 5-6 in the MASCAC. The Owls are now 15-12 and 6-5 in conference.

Westfield State got off to a fast start in the first inning, with senior Ethan Day (Meriden, Conn.) driving in Samuel Palmer (Medfield, Mass.) on a sacrifice fly to open up the scoring.

The Owls tacked on two additional runs in the third inning, initiated by graduate student Max Silverman (Westford, Mass.) who hit a two-out double. After consecutive hit batters, the table was set for sophomore Nolan Florence (Chicopee, Mass.) who belted a two-run single into left-center field to put Westfield up 3-0.

Salem State leftfielder Tim Catalano (Brewster, N.Y.) prevented a run in the fourth, throwing out Nick Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.), who had doubled, out at the plate on a base-hit by Palmer. Kyle Banche (Torrington, Conn.) replaced Mason Consigli (Northbridge, Mass.) in the top of the fifth. Consigli was charged with three runs on eight hits with a walk and two hit batters.

Owls' starter Nate Langmeier (East Granby, Conn.) cruised through the first five innings of the contest, allowing just four hits while fanning six Vikings' hitters. He encountered his first hiccup in the sixth inning after a two-out single and walk. Bobby Jellison (Salem, Mass.) produced Salem State's first run by slipping a ball through the middle scoring EJ Field (Gloucester, Mass.).

The Vikings offensive charge continued in the seventh inning, beginning with a pair of singles by Brahiam Ortega (Lawrence, Mass.) and Tim Catalano (Brewster, N.Y.) which ended the outing for Langmeier with one out. Joseph Fischer (Avon, Mass) was first up out of the bullpen and was greeted with an RBI single by Zach Piroh (Stratford, Conn.) before Jake Sefrino (Dartmouth, Mass.) tied the game 3-3 with an RBI groundout. Langmeier went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts and a walk.

Tied 3-3 in the eighth, Christian Burt (Lynn, Mass.) and Jellison (Salem, Mass.) hit back-to-back singles off reliever Sean Casey (Amston, Conn.). A sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to Ortega loaded the bases, setting up Jake Boucher (Wallingford, Conn.) who hit a deep fly ball to left to score Burt. Boucher, who started the day at second, took the mound in the ninth, and retired the side in order, striking out two to earn his third save of the season. Greg Gentle (Arlington, Mass.) was the pitcher of record for the Salem State, earning the win with one inning of work. Casey took the loss, allowing a run on two hits while issuing an intentional walk.

Burt, Jellison and Wilbur Rosario Morel (Lynn, Mass.) all had multiple hit games for the Vikings. Martin and Silverman each went 2-for-4 for the Owls while Casey Boudreau (Shrewsbury, Mass.) added two hits in three at-bats.    

Westfield State and Salem State will play in a doubleheader set with game one starting tomorrow at noon from Bud and Jim Hagan Field in Westfield, Mass.

(Parts of release courtesy of Salem State sports information)