Tapley delivers walk-off hit for his first pitching victory

NEWPORT, R.I. - Junior Brendan Tapley [Warwick, R.I.] earned a victory in relief and delivered the walk-off game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th as Salve Regina University baseball rallied past visiting Johnson & Wales University, 7-6, in non-league action in Newport.

Tapley started at catcher for the Seahawks who used a season-high eight pitchers in the win. It was Salve Regina's second win of the season over Johnson & Wales; earlier this month the Seahawks gave sophomore Chris DePalma [Taunton, Mass.] his first loss of the season in a starting role. Today, DePalma suffered his second loss when he came in relief in the bottom of the 10th inning.

After junior Nick Alosco [Mahopac, N.Y.] blooped a double to left center to score an unearned run off Tapley in the top of the 10th, Salve Regina opened its frame with a lead-off single to left from junior OF Matt Capone [Barrington, R.I.]. Capone scored the tying run after infielder Nick Politelli [Warwick, R.I.] sacrificed him to second and infielder Tom Glynn [Woodbridge, Conn.] drove him in with a single to left. Glynn took second on a throw and close play at the plate.

DePalma walked Nicholas Gaj [Pawtucket, R.I.] intentionally and struck out the next Seahawk batter for the second out, but could not retire Tapley who laced a 3-1 pitch into centerfield. It was the fourth walk-off win of the season for the Seahawks who reached the 20-win total for the seventh time in the last eight years.

"I tell the guys 'You're not going to be able to keep coming back,'" said Salve Regina head coach Steve Cirella. "But they seem to find a way."

Salve Regina (20-15) has its final conference doubleheader of the regular season with Gordon College tomorrow at noon on Reynolds Field. The Seahawks will honor their six seniors - Riley Diaz [Miami, Fla.], Dave Miller [Shelton, Conn.], Jay Nelson [Scottsdale, Ariz.], A.J. Spino [Lincoln, R.I.], and Matt Wierzbicki [Wethersfield, Conn.] - before the TCCC twinbill. Johnson & Wales (13-26) next plays in the quarterfinals of its league tournament next week.