Salem State scored two runs in the top of the ninth to rally past the Suffolk University Rams 3-1 at the Salem State Baseball Field on Tuesday afternoon. The win gives the Vikings their tenth win in a row as they improve to 21-5 on the season. Suffolk slips to 8-16.
The game which was originally scheduled to be played at Suffolk remained tied, 1-1 until the top of the ninth. Rams starter Jonathan Richard (North Reading, MA) pitched into the final frame, but he started to waver and allowed three walks and two hits in the inning. Chris Cocci(Wakefield, RI) drew a bases loaded walk to plate the first run and Kyle McElroy(Newburyport, MA) singled home an insurance run to make the score 3-1. Mario Padovani(Lynnfield, MA) pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his fourth save for the Vikings.
Richard and Salem State starter Ryan Hyjek(Tolland, CT) dueled for six innings giving up only one run apiece. Hyjek pitched six innings and allowed only four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts before being replaced by Cory Collins(Winthrop, MA). Richard lasted until the ninth and pitched well in defeat giving up three runs on seven hits with two K's.
Suffolk struck in the top of the first inning when Devan Jones (Roslindale, MA) hit a triple and then scored on a passed ball. Brett Cahill(Gloucester, MA) laced his own triple, and came home on Matt Burgess's (Kingston, MA) sacrifice fly in the second.
The Rams got out of a bases-loaded jam when they tagged out the Vikings' Chris Cocci(Wakefield, RI) at home after a wild pitch in the 6th inning. Cory Collins(Winthrop, MA) who came on in relief for the Vikings in the 7th, pitched one inning, giving up one hit and one walk with one strikeout. Matt Kerr(East Freetown, MA), who earned the win for the Vikings, pitched a scoreless eighth to improve to 7-0.
Salem State plays again on Thursday at home against Gordon College at 3:00PM. Suffolk plays a double-header at home on Wednesday against Emerson College, the games start at 2:00PM.
(Story courtesy of Salem State Sports Information)