Bears Wallop Vikings 18-2

Bridgewater, Mass. -- Philip Messina went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and Ryan Flaherty added two hits in five at-bats with a home run, three runs and three RBI as Bridgewater State defeated Salem State, 18-2 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both teams on Friday afternoon at Alumni Park. 

Joshua Selander was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and two runs while Jaden Arruda took the mound for Bridgewater State and went 4.1 innings, giving up just a run on six hits with three walks and two k's. 

Connor Dolan was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Salem State. Nolan Currier started for the Vikings and allowed six runs - five earned - on two hits with two walks as the Vikings used five pitchers in the game.   

How It Happened

• Bridgewater State scored nine runs in the first inning, sending 14 men to the plate. Selander plated the first run of the game with a bases loaded single to center. Two walks and hit-by-pitch added three more runs before Messina cleared the bases with a home run to right making the score 8-0.  
• Selander added an RBI double in the third to push the lead to 10-0. Later in the inning, Ryan Flaherty connected for a two-run home run as the lead grew to 12-0.
• Connor Dolan broke the shutout with an RBI single in the fifth for Salem State.
• Riley Thornell brought home two more runs for Bridgewater State with a double to left in the seventh and Jamie Luna followed with an RBI single to center as the Bears built a 16-1 lead. 

Salem State takes on Bridgewater State again in a MASCAC doubleheader on Sunday, April 6 at noon.