Baseball Drops Florida Finale Against Franklin & Marshall (6-4) and Hamilton (9-0)

THE BASICS 

Score: 
GM 1 – Salem State University, 4 vs. Franklin & Marshall College, 6
GM 2 – Salem State University, 0 vs. Hamilton College, 9

Records: 
Salem State Vikings (4-5)

Franklin & Marshall Diplomats (11-5)

Hamilton College Continentals (4-5)

Location: Davenport, Fla. - RussMatt Baseball Fields

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026

THE LEAD – The Salem State baseball team concluded its week in Florida with a doubleheader today against Franklin & Marshall College and Hamilton College. In the first game against the Diplomats, the Vikings fell 6-4, and in the second versus the Continentals, the squad was shut out, 9-0. 

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 1)

• Salem wasted no time in the bottom of the first as the squad plated three runs in the opening frame. Owen Duggan (Billerica, Mass.) got the scoring started when he ripped a double down the right field line that allowed Ethan Stepputtis (Prospect, Conn.) and Yabdriel Gonzalez (New Haven, Conn.) to score after both had singled earlier. After a Vikings strikeout, Nolan Currier (Maynard, Mass.) drove in the third run with a single past the first base side that scored Duggan.
• However, Franklin & Marshall responded in the top half of the second with a four-run frame to go up one (4-3). Tanner Wolpert drove in the go-ahead run after taking advantage of a Salem error. In the following inning, the Diplomats tacked on another run courtesy of an Owen Woodward RBI single that made it 5-3.
• The Vikings had a chance to answer in the bottom of the fifth when Duggan and Michael Buccaro (Stratford, Conn.) both singled through the right side with one out. Unfortunately, Franklin & Marshall pitcher Chet Kosnar was able to escape the jam and preserve the two-run lead.
• Salem did end up getting one run back in the seventh when Jack Doyle (Salem, Mass.) drew a two-out walk that made it a 5-4 ballgame. However, Franklin & Marshall ended the Blue and Orange threat by retiring the next batter.
• After the Diplomats gave themselves an insurance run in the top of the ninth thanks to a Von zuben RBI single, the visitors retired the side in the bottom half of the ninth to come away with the 6-4 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 1)

• Duggan led Salem offensively with two RBIs.
• Stepputtis and Duggan were the lone Vikings hitters to finish with two hits on the day.
• Collin Tenney (Woodbridge, Conn.) got the start and ended up with the loss after going 8.0 IP while allowing six hits, five runs (four earned), while striking out a career-high seven in his second collegiate start. 
• Brandon McMahon (Malden, Mass.) also saw action on the mound and went one inning and allowed two hits, one run (zero earned), and fanned two.
• Woodward paced the Diplomats offensively with two RBIs in the win.
• Will O'Connor got the start and earned a no-decision after throwing four innings and allowing five hits, three runs, and striking out six.
• Kosnar ended up with the win for Franklin & Marshall by going 3.2 IP while allowing four hits, one run (zero earned), and striking out four. Anders Snow recorded his first save with an inning pitched and allowing no runs or hits.
• Salem held the advantage in hits, 9-8.
• Saturday's matchup marked the first in program history between the two teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 2)

• Hamilton wasted no time and got on the board first, thanks to RBI doubles from Michael Tallarida and Lucas Herman for an early 2-0 lead. 
• After a scoreless second and third from both sides, Salem had a chance to cut into the deficit at the top of the fourth when Doyle drew a walk, and Currier sent a single past the pitcher to have runners on first and second with two outs. However, Continental's starter Mark Kovach retired the next Vikings batter and kept the lead at two.
• In the bottom half of the fourth, Hamilton tacked on two more runs courtesy of a two-run RBI single off the bat of Giannia DiCerbo, which then made it 4-0. After adding another run in the seventh, the Continentals flexed their muscles in the eighth by plating four runs and making it 9-0. Tallarida highlighted the high-scoring inning with a two-run RBI double to deep right-center. From then on, Hamilton's pitching kept Salem's bats at bay and secured the 9-0 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 2)

• Stepputtis led the way offensively for Salem with two hits. He has now extended his hitting streak to eight games.
• Ethan Hill (Stratford, Conn.) earned the start for the Vikes but ended up with the loss after going 7.0 IP while allowing seven hits, six runs, and striking out two. Jackson Beehr (Wolcott, Conn.) saw an inning of relief, allowing two hits, three runs, and striking out one.
• Tallarid guided the Hamilton offense with four RBIs after a 3-5 day at the plate.
• Kovach got the win for Hamilton after throwing 5.1 IP and allowing four hits, no runs, and fanning five.
• Hamilton outhit Salem, 9-4.
• Saturday's matchup marked the first-ever meeting with Hamilton.

UP NEXT 

Salem returns to Massachusetts for its home opener on Friday, March 27, at 3:00 p.m. versus Mass. Maritime.