Salem, Mass. (courtesy Salem State sports information) — Despite a career-best four-RBI performance from sophomore 1B Dan Gad (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield), the Brandeis baseball team couldn't overcome Salem State starter Matt Kerr (East Freetown, Mass.), who pitched seven innings of two-hit ball to lead the Vikings to an 8-5 win over the Judges on Monday afternoon.
Kerr allowed only one unearned run and struck out seven to improve to 4-0 on the year. Brandeis starter Colin Markel (Scarsdale, N.Y./Scarsdale) suffered the loss after lasting six innings, and giving up three earned runs on eight hits, with one strikeout and three walks to fall to 1-3 on the season.
The victory improves Salem State's record to 12-5 while Brandeis slips to 5-15.
The Vikings opened up a 2-0 lead after scoring a run in each of the first two innings. After advancing to third base on a sacrifice bunt, a lead-off walk by Kevin Salines (Melrose, Mass.) produced the first run after he came around to score on a Chris Cocci (Wakefield, R.I.) single in the 1st inning. A run-scoring single by Salines made the score 2-0 in the second after Steve Buitkus walked and stole second and third.
Brandeis got on the board in the third after an error allowed Zach Malis (Merrick, N.Y./Bellmore JFK) to reach base. Malis stole second and scored on an RBI single by Gad.
Salem State scored three more in the fifth and sixth innings on a wild pitch and a Nick Conti (Lynn, Mass.) run-scoring single. A Matt Burgess (Kingston, Mass.) triple set up the Vikings' fifth run when Salines notched his second RBI of the game with a base hit.
Stefan Weiss (Jericho, N.Y./Jericho) came on in the 7th in relief for Brandeis and allowed three runs, two earned in the inning. After loading the bases with one out, Salem State's Steve Buitkus (Reading, Mass.) produced an RBI groundout. However, a throwing error by the Judges allowed another run to score to make the score 7-1. Burgess plated a third run with a hit to make the score 8-1.
Braindeis reliever Elio Fernandez (Bronx, N.Y./Fordham Prep) pitched a scoreless 8th, as the Judges scored four in the ninth to make the score 8-5.
Andrew Guido (Peabody, Mass.) pitched the final two innings and allowed four runs on three hits with two strikeouts. After pitching a flawless eighth, Guido allowed a lead-off triple by Brian Allen (Salem, N.H./Central Catholic). An RBI groundout produced the first run for Brandeis, which quickly loaded the bases on a hit batter, single and a walk. Gad followed with a double to right field to clear the bases that brought the Judges to within 8-5. Guido then induced a game-ending groundout.
Salem State's next game will be on the road against Lasell College on Thursday at 7:00PM. Brandeis plays again Wednesday at home against Suffolk University at 3:00PM.