Late Push Lifts Baseball to 13-5 Victory at Salem State

SALEM, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College baseball team chalked up nine runs in the final two frames to secure a 13-5 win at Salem State Tuesday afternoon.

The Lions climb to 8-4 on the year with the result while the Vikings sink to 5-5 overall.

Josue Basilis (Bronx, N.Y.) racked up three hits, three runs scored, and three RBIs on the day. Connor Simpson (Haverhiill, Mass.) posted three hits, two RBIs, and a pair of runs scored. Anthony Esposito (Mount Royal, N.J.) finished with two base knocks, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Steven Pesce (Harrison, N.Y.) chipped in with three RBIs and one hit while Hunter Leroux-Porter (Greenland, N.H.) notched two base hits and three runs.

The visitors claimed an early 1-0 edge in the top of the first inning. Dylan Louviaux (Mohnton, Pa.) laced a two-out RBI single to drive in Esposito from third base.

The hosts scored twice in the bottom of the first to grab a 2-1 lead. Mike Griffin launched a two-run homer to left field to knock in Traverse Briana.

Eastern Nazarene leveled the contest at 2-2 with one run in the fifth inning. Basilis scurried home from third on a groundout by Pesce.

Salem State produced a pair of runs to reclaim the lead, 4-2, in the home half of the fifth. Pat Fitzgerald lifted a sacrifice fly to score Shawn Rebello. Brendan Greene followed with a double to drive in Luke Eggers.

The Lions plated two runs in the sixth the knot the game at 4-4. Matthew Urena (Flushing, N.Y.) roped a single to right-centerfield to knock in Louviaux before Leroux-Porter crossed the dish as Basilis grounded out.

The guests erupted for four runs in the eighth to seize an 8-4 advantage. Esposito singled to centerfield to score Basilis and Leroux-Porter. Pesce scorched a triple to left to drive in Esposito and Simpson.

The Vikings tallied once in the eighth to cut the deficit to 8-5. Briana led off the frame with a solo home run to left field.

Eastern Nazarene generated five runs in the top of the ninth inning to widen the gap to 13-5. Basilis landed a two-run base knock in the gap in right-center to plate Leroux-Porter and Louviaux. Urena and Basilis both crossed the dish on a single off the bat of Simpson.

Brandon Imonti (Tewksbury, Mass.) pitched five innings and recorded three strikeouts in his first start of the season. Brenndan Rogers (Hanson, Mass.) worked one scoreless frame and fanned one batter in his second relief outing of the spring. Tommy Merrick (Brockton, Mass.) hurled two innings in his fourth appearance out of the bullpen. Daniel Rivera (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) tossed one inning in his third pitching appearance and racked up three strikeouts.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene hosts a doubleheader against UMaine-Farmington March 27 in the home-opener.