Kussmaul delivers in ninth with walk-off single

SEAHAWK BASEBALL RESULTS

Salve Regina 6, Salem St. 5
Newport, R.I. - Reynolds Field
Thursday, April 21, 2016

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University baseball freshman John Kussmaul (Brick, N.J.) singled to left center in the bottom of the ninth inning to drive in the winning run in a 6-5 victory over Salem State.

Series and Streaks
This was the sixth meeting between Salve Regina and Salem State. The all-time series in now even 3-3.

Three Seahawk Stars of the Day
1 – Salve Regina freshman catcher/outfielder Zack Smith (New Canaan, Conn.) - went 4-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
2 – Salve Regina sophomore pitcher Dylan Jepsen (Sutton, Mass.)  pitched three innings of relief and did not allow an earned run while striking out five.
3 – Salve Regina freshman outfielder John Kussmaul - went drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

Key Stat of the Day
The Vikings committed four errors on the afternoon, including an error by relief pitcher Tim Woods (Wilmington, Mass.) in the eighth inning that allowed the Seahawks to tie the game 5-5.

Turning Point
With the game tied 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth the Seahawks had two men on with no outs after Alex Perry (No. Attleboro, Mass.) drew a lead-off walk and Zach Zmith singled. Pete Gonski (East Lyme, Conn.) was able to get both Tristan Dacey (Wyckoff, N.J.) and Colton Eremian (Boca Raton, Fla.) to strike out swinging setting the stage for Kussmaul. Down to his last strike Kussmaul ripped a single into left field. Perry rounded third and took off for home, the throw from the outfield was short and wide allowing Perry to score uncontested at home plate giving the Seahawks a 6-5 walk-off victory. 

Quick Hits

• Salem State had a chance to take a lead in the top of the ninth when Richard Fecteau (Newbury, Mass.) was hit by a pitch then advanced to second on a wild pitch with two outs. Jepsen struck out  Dan Connors (Danvers, Mass.) to retire the side and the Vikings left another runner in scoring position. 
• The Vikings also had a great opportunity with bases loaded and one out in the top of the seventh when the game was tied 4-4. Jepsen struck out Connors then caught the pop-up from Joe White (Bellingham, Mass.) to retired the side, stranding three Viking's base runners. 
• The Seahawks stole three bases while the Vikings did not record one stolen base. Ryan Kelly (Waldwick, N.J.) was responsible for two while Hunter Sleeper (Arlington, Mass.) provided the other.
• Salem State took a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning when Mike Davis (Peabody, Mass.) hit a two-run homer to left field, then had that followed up by a Fecteau solo shot. The lead did not last long however as the Seahawks score twice in the bottom of the frame to even things 4-4.
• The Seahawks are 2-1 versus MASCAC schools this season and 2-0 at home. 

Quotes
"It was a great team win against a very tough opponent. They could be the best offense we've seen this year in New England. Brett and Dylan did an outstanding job pitching and competing. Defense was solid. And we made some good adjustments as the game went on. Obviously Kussmaul was the hero with a nine inning two out knock. But definitely a team win." - Salve Regina head coach Eric Cirella

Next up
Salve Regina (16-10-1, 6-2 CCC) – Saturday, April 23 vs. Gordon, 12 p.m. [DH]
Salem St. (13-16-1, 7-1 MASCAC) – Saturday, April 23 vs. Worcester St., 12 p.m. [DH]