Melcher clears bases for seven RBI in Seahawk win

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Senior infielder Alex Melcher (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) drove in seven runs in the second game of a doubleheader to help Salve Regina University baseball (3-4) earn a split with Franciscan University (1-5) at the Vero Beach Sports Village, formerly Dodgertown. Salve Regina won the second game, 13-6, after Franciscan had won its first game of the season, 6-1, in the opener.

Salve Regina did all of its Game 2 scoring in two innings, plating six runs in the 2nd and seven more in the 3rd. Robert Penate set the Seahawks down in order in the bottom of the first before Salve Regina took its first lead of the day on a two-run single by Charles Matarazzo (Montville, N.J.). Melcher later followed with a bases-loaded double to right center driving in three runs.

Trailing 6-2 after two innings, the Barons got a run back in the top of the 3rd before the Seahawks broke the game open with a seven-run bottom of the 3rd. Brandon Bursie (Smithfield, R.I.) and Michael O'Neill (Pawtucket, R.I.) opened the frame with back-to-back singles to opposite sides of the shortstop. Matt Capone (Barrington, R.I.) added the Seahawks third bases-loaded hit-by-pitch of the season for a 9-3 lead. Melcher came to the plate again with the bases loaded and delivered a grand slam to left center.

The Seahawk offense, outhit by the Barons 12-to-10, was led at the plate by senior infielder Tom Glynn (Woodbridge, Conn.) with three hits. Freshman Ryan McGirr (Mahwah, N.J.) completed four innings on the mound to earn his first collegiate pitching victory. Sophomore Devin Flynn (Auburn, Maine) pitched three shutout innings to earn his first collegiate save. Flynn inherited a baserunner and immediately induced a double-play grounder. He struck out four batters including the final out of the game.

Daniel Brink scattered nine hits and limited the Seahawks to one run in the opener. Seahawk outfielder Patrick Quinn (Middletown, N.J.) led off the 5th with a triple to right center and came home on a Bursie single to left. Matarazzo and Bursie both collected two hits in the opener. Seahawk starter Thomas Betros (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) took the loss in his first collegiate outing. Sophomore Daniel Kehew (Portsmouth, R.I.) pitched in relief and struck out three of the six Baron batters he faced.

Game one box score | Game two box score

Salve Regina has a single nine-inning game scheduled with St. Scholastica at the Lawnwood Complex on Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce, Fla. (12 p.m.). Please visit vbsportsvillage.com for directions to all facilities. The Seahawks end their spring trip with a doubleheader versus Oswego State in the Holman Stadium field on the former Dodgers training site.