Posted: Mar 21, 2012
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Salem, MA— Endicott and Salem State met in an offensive juggernaut of a non-conference baseball game on Wednesday afternoon, but the Vikings knocked out 21 hits in a 14-11 win over the Gulls.
Eric Lemke (Arlington, MA) and Tad Gold (Martha's Vineyard, MA) put the Gulls up 2-0 in the first inning after they reached on a double and walk. Both scored on an errant throw by the second baseman following a pick off attempt. However, the Vikings responded with three runs of their own, highlighted by a Steve Buitkus double in the bottom of the inning to make the score 3-2.
Nick Conti (Lynn, MA) and Kyle McElroy (Newburyport, MA) combined for seven hits and six RBI's for Salem State improves to 10-3 on the year while Endicott slips to 4-7.
The Vikings added four more in the second when Ethan Trowt (Beverly, MA) led off with a single and scored on a base-hit by McElroy. After Endicott replaced starter Tyler Hitchcock (Abington, MA) with Andrew Millard (New Milford, CT), Chris Cocci (Wakefield, RI) and Conti hit back-to-back doubles to score three more runs and the Vikings increased their lead to 7-2.
E.J. Martinez (Brooklyn, NY) got two runs back in the 4th inning on a single for the Gulls to make the score 7-4, but Salem State countered with two runs thanks to a wild pitch and an error.
Endicott closed the gap to 10-9 in the sixth after starter Matt Kerr (East Freetown, MA) was replaced by Matt Turmenne (Peabody, MA).
EJ Martinez (Brooklyn, NY) led off with a single and following a steal of second and third, scored on a double by Gold. Colin Stiraz (West Hartford, MA) stroked another double to plate Stiraz and the Gulls were within a run.
However, Salem State plated three runs to in the bottom of the sixth to create some breathing room. Following another pitching change by Endicott, which used seven pitchers in the game, the Vikings strung together five hits in the inning, all singles to pull ahead 13-9. Eric Juncker (Rockport, MA) and McElroy had run scoring singles in the inning.
Endicott switched their pitcher to Brian Milea (Wakefield, MA) after Salem State added an insurance run in the seventh when Conti hit his second double of the afternoon and was brought home by a Buitkus RBI single.
Andrew Guido (Peabody, MA) closed the game for the Vikings, allowing a run on one hit to make the final 14-11.
The Vikings' Matt Kerr (Melrose, MA) picked up his third win of the year after pitching five innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts.
Hitchcock (Abington, MA) lasted just one inning, and allowed seven hits and six runs without striking out a batter for the Gulls.
Kevin Salines (Melrose, MA) had three hits and Buitkus added two hits and two runs batted in for the Vikings, which had at least one hit by every starter.
Martinez finished up 3-for-6 with two RBI's while Sitarz, 3-for-5 with a triple, and Ralph Fidaleo (Fairfield, CT), 3-for-5 with two runs batted in also had three-hit games for Endicott.
Endicott's next game is their home opener on Thursday against Wheaton College at 3:30 at North Field.
Salem State plays Rhode Island College at home on Thursday at 3:30.
