Baseball Splits Florida Doubleheader vs. Springfield

THE BASICS 

Score: 
GM 1 – Salem State University, 8 vs. Springfield College, 11
GM 2 – Salem State University, 3 vs. Springfield College, 1 (6 inn.)

Records: 
Salem State Vikings (1-2)
Springfield College Pride (7-2)

Location: Auburndale, Fla. - RussMatt Baseball Fields

Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026

THE LEAD – The Salem State baseball team kicked off its week in Florida with a split against Springfield College after dropping the first game, 11-8, but ended up taking the second contest, 3-1. 

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 1)

• After both sides had a scoreless first, Springfield jumped on the board first, thanks to a four-run second inning. Luke Barone highlighted the Pride's four-run frame with an RBI triple to deep left center that made it 3-0.
• Springfield continued its momentum throughout the contest as the Pride plated runs in each inning and after six, the Pride found themselves with a comfortable 11-0 advantage.
• Despite the large deficit, Salem would not go quietly. The Vikes kept momentum alive in the top half of the seventh when Yabdriel Gonzalez (New Haven, Conn.) drove a deep double to right that plated two runs and made it an 11-2 game.
• The Blue and Orange continued to chip away at Springfield's lead when, later in the inning, Michael Buccaro (Stratford, Conn.) hit a two-run RBI double that found its way down the left field line, bringing the Vikings within three (11-8). 
• With two outs in the inning, Ethan Stepputtis (Prospect, Conn.) drew a walk, but unfortunately, the Pride retired the next batter and held off a late Salem rally for the 11-8 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 1)

• Three different Vikings led the offense with two RBIs apiece in Gonzalez, Ryan Barberi (Cheshire, Conn.), and Buccaro.
• Alex Metznik (Westford, Mass.) took the loss for Salem after going 2.1 IP while allowing five hits, six runs (five earned), and striking out two.
• Michael Lepere led Springfield's offense with a two-RBI day. 
• Nate Kelleher-Mochak grabbed the win Sunday after 5.0 innings of work, allowing just four hits, no runs, and striking out five.
• Salem ended up outhitting Springfield by a 13-10 margin.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 2)

• Springfield got the scoring started in the second matchup Sunday when Chris Balchius sent an RBI single past short for a quick 1-0 advantage. 
• Despite the early scoring by the Pride, Salem starter Ethan Hill (Stratford, Conn.) kept Springfield's bat silent by not allowing a run or hit the rest of the way. The first year lefty had a stretch where he retired five-straight batters between the second and fourth innings. 
• Salem later ended up evening the contest at one in the fifth courtesy of an RBI double off the bat of Owen Duggan (Billerica, Mass.). 
• The Vikings continued their offensive momentum into the sixth when the Blue and Orange tacked on two more runs to go up 3-1. Barberi gave the squad its initial lead when he ripped an RBI single down the left field line, and then two batters later, Jack Doyle (Salem, Mass.) gave the squad an insurance run after taking advantage of an error by the Springfield pitcher. However, the contest was called due to rain, resulting in a Salem 3-1 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 2)

• Barberi and Duggan were the lone Vikings to record an RBI in game two.
• Three different Salem hitters ended the day with at least two hits: Stepputtis, Duggan, and Nolan Currier (Maynard, Mass.). 
• In his first career start for the Vikings, Hill was lights out. He tossed a complete game while allowing just two hits, one run, and striking out a career-high six.
• Ethan Gray ended up with the loss for Springfield after he allowed two hits, two runs (one earned), and walked one.
• Salem ended up outhitting Springfield in game two, 8-2.
• Sunday's two matchups marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

UP NEXT 

Salem continues its play in Florida tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. when the squad takes on Wisconsin-River Falls.