Vikings outlast Gulls in extra-innings thriller
March 25, 2009
Box Score
BEVERLY, Mass. - Salem State College scored the tying run in the top of the ninth and then added three runs in the 11th inning as the Vikings outlasted Endicott College, 6-5, in extra frames on Wednesday afternoon in Beverly, Mass. The win improves SSC to 6-5 overall while the Gulls slip to 5-6. The Vikings used four pitchers on the day, with senior Bobby Fournier (Cambridge, Mass.) eventually earning the win.
Sticking to its early tradition, Endicott opened the game by notching a 1-0 lead off an RBI single from Roberto Zapata (Boston, Mass.) that plated Aaron Santos (Cambridge, Mass.). The run was Endicott's 11th first-inning run in 11 games so far this season.
Salem State countered by scoring in both the second and third innings, the first coming off an RBI single by John McCue (Waltham, Mass.) that scored junior Steve Mucci (Wallkill, N.Y.). The Vikings then scored in the third inning as Chris Cocci (Wakefield, R.I.) grounded out to the right side, allowing Nick Dunn (Mashpee, Mass.) to score from third.
The 2-1 Salem lead didn't last long as Endicott jumped ahead, 3-2, on an RBI single from Andrew Betts (Bristol, Conn.) and an eventual run scored by Roberto Zapata. The lead lasted until the top of the ninth where Salem scored the equalizer on a game-tying single from Ken Luongo (Wilmington, Mass.) that sent the game into extra frames.
The Vikings scored three times in the top of the 11th, capitalizing on an Endicott fielding miscue to eventually take the lead. The Gulls battled hard in the home-half of the inning, and it appeared Salem State shortstop Troy Ingime (Malden, Mass.) wanted to keep the Gulls alive as he committed three errors in the inning. Endicott took advantage of the mistakes and scored twice on the mishandled plays, however came up short as catcher Joe Klein (Monroe, Conn.) was gunned down at home for the game's final out.
Ken Luongo, Steve Mucci and John McCue all had two hits in the win for Salem State. Luongo also tossed three innings of no hit, no run ball, setting up Fournier to get the win in extra innings.
Endicott's Andrew Betts and Roberto Zapata went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the loss. The Gulls used seven pitchers in the setback, with Dave Weinreich (Milford, Conn.) taking the defeat.
The Gulls return to action on Friday afternoon as they host Wheaton College at 3:30 p.m. Salem State travels to Rhode Island College on Thursday for a 3:30 p.m. start with the Anchormen.