Posted: Mar 23, 2011
Salem, Mass. – Sophomore pitcher Brendan Pittsley (Plympton, Mass.) hurled six shutout innings in a 4-0 Endicott victory over non-conference opponent Salem State on Wednesday afternoon. The win was Pittsley’s first of the season, as three relievers came on to complete the four-hit shutout.
Endicott (7-4) saw junior third baseman Danny Mello (Peabody, Mass.) have his way on the base paths, swiping four bags on the day. His first two stolen bases came in the bottom of the first inning when after a leadoff walk, Mello moved his way around the diamond to third base. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman Jake Northrup (Boxborough, Mass.) which provided all the offense the Blue and Green would need.
Mello’s speed on the base path was useful again in the third inning. Mello walked to reach base, and after stealing second scored on a base hit by captain Chris Dominguez (Braintree, Mass.) to put the Gulls up 2-0.
Dominguez pushed the Endicott lead to 3-0 when he lined a double and scored on a single through the left side of the infield by Eric Lemke (Southington, Mass.).
Pittsley cruised through much of the game, retiring 14 straight batters at one point. The Vikings (3-7) threatened, however, in the top of the six when Kevin Salines (Melrose, Mass.) and Chris Cocci (Wakefield, R.I.) both worked one-out walks. The Gulls got out of the jam by turning a double play to end the threat.
Endicott tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth on a leadoff single by Northrup and an RBI double by Colin Sitarz (West Hartford, Mass.) to make the final 4-0.
Salem State’s Jeff Borges (Westport, Mass.) went six innings for the Vikings, giving up six hits and three runs with five strikeouts.
Pittsley’s final line was six innings, two hits, three walks, and six strikeouts. The combination of Steven Carter (Brunswick, Maine), Tyler Hitchcock (Abington, Mass.) and Benjamin Petrides (Belchertown, Mass.) pitched the final three innings allowing two hits and one walk while striking out four batters.
Endicott hosts Wheaton College at in their home opener tomorrow at 3:30 pm at North Field. Salem State heads to Rhode Island College for a 3:30 start also tomorrow afternoon.
