School Name Goes Here

Salem, MA –Co-Captain Matt Gusdorf delivered a 10th inning two-out, two-run single as the Salem State Vikings fought back for an 8-7 come from behind victory over the the Pilgrims of New England College on Tuesday afternoon. 

Salem State College’s record improves to 10-8 as they held off a hungry New England College team that was hopeful to tally their third win of the season. NEC now sits at a season total of 2-18. 

Freshman pitcher Andrew Rainville (Salem, MA) took the mound for the Vikings in the tenth inning to earn his first Salem State win and is now 1-1 on the season. Starter Matt Kerr (East Freetown, MA) did not receive a decision but had the poise to keep the game in reach for the Vikings. Kerr compiled 10 strikeouts and allowed four runs - three earned - to cross the plate
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Pilgrims starting pitcher Adam Climo (Southport, ME) pitched the entire 9.2 innings and remains winless in five decisions despite his workhorse effort. 

The Salem State bats began with a boom in the bottom of the second. Steve Mucci (Wallkill, NY) smashed a pitch an estimated 380 feet over the left center fence to drive in the first two Vikings runs.
The Pilgrims battled back in the in the eighth inning. With one runner on, Chris Biskup (South Portland, ME) sent a single to left that scored John Holtman (Mendon, VT) and cut the Viking lead in half, 4-2. Biskup advanced to third on a pass ball and the tying run was at the plate in the form of NEC second basemen Mike Caravella (Milford, NH). Kerr battled out of the jam with a strikeout against Caravella to end the scoring threat. 

The Pilgrims kept their hopes alive in the ninth. Troy Ingemi (Malden, MA) entered the game with two runners on base and two out in the bottom of the ninth in an attempt to save the Viking lead. Ingemi walked the first batter he faced to load the bases. NEC’s Tyler Perrin (Thetford, VT) took Ingemi to a full count. A passed ball on the ensuing pitch allowed pinch runner TJ Doyle (Harwinton, CT) to score from third base. On the same play, pinch runner Chris Wallace aggressively sprinted from second base to force a play at home. Cather Mike Dedo’s (Leominster, MA) throw passed under the glove of Ingemi. Wallace was safe at the plate and the Pilgrims took their first lead of the game, 5-4. Head coach Ken Perrone called in relief pitcher Andrew Guido (Peabody, MA) to finish the inning. Guido struck out Biskup to end the Pilgrim’s surge. 

The Vikings refused to surrender. The tying run was 90 feet away on third base in the bottom of the ninth with James Ellison (Newburyport, MA) at bat. With a 3-2 count Climo was one pitch away from securing the third win of the season for the Pilgrims. Ellison ripped the pitch into left center to send Wallace across the plate and tie the game at 5-5. SSC first baseman Mucci grounded out to third to end the inning.
 
In the top half of the extra frame NEC’s Scott Miller (Mt. Airy, MD) doubled in teammates Donovan Funk (Farmington, NH) and Chris Gagne (Rochester, NH) to retake the lead, 7-5. 

The Pilgrim lead didn’t prove to be steadfast. In the bottom of the tenth SSC’s Sam Perkins’ (Milford, MA) bases loaded sacrifice fly to center allowed Evan Valcourt (Salisbury, MA) to tag and cut into the NEC lead. Gusdorf stepped up to the plate next with two runners in scoring position. He sent a 1-2 pitch into the outfield to clear the bases and capture the Viking’s dramatic victory. 

Salem State College will next host the University of Southern Maine Huskies on April 8th at 3:30.