Toomey's Five RBI Power Salem State to 12-2 Win

Recap, photo courtesy of Salem State

SALEM, MASS. – Salem State opened up a close game with a seven-run fourth inning as the Vikings coasted to a 12-2 victory over Plymouth State on Wednesday afternoon at The Central Campus Baseball Field. Alex Toomey (Beverly, Mass.) had three hits, including a triple and five RBI to lead Salem State (13-9).

The Panthers (9-10) scored a run in the first as Geoff Kayo (Londonderry, N.H.) knocked in Jimmy Zimolka (Londonderry, N.H.), who led off the game with a walk. Vikings' starting pitcher Ryan Kelleher (Hanover, Mass.), despite early control problems, settled in and struck out all three Plymouth State batters in the third. Kelleher walked four and threw four wild pitches, but the Panthers could not take advantage as they did not score in the fourth despite having runners on second and third with no outs. Catcher Zac Duval (Middleton, Mass.) recorded a key out as he picked off Nate Frederick (Worcester, Mass.) who had drifted too far off third.  

Leading 2-0 thanks to a two-run triple by Toomey in the third, the Vikings took advantage of a key error by the Panthers to plate seven runs in the fourth. Jose Cedano (Lawrence, Mass.) scored the first run with an RBI single, plating Duval, who had led off the inning with a double to right. The Vikings then strung together four straight hits, scoring five runs in building a 9-0 lead. Mac Daniel Singleton (Everett, Mass.) and Toomey hit back-to-back singles, which was followed by a triple to deep center by Kyle O'Connor (Lynn, Mass.). Duval capped the scoring with a single to center.
Panthers' starter Marc Phinny (Gloucester, Mass.) allowed nine runs (three earned) on 10 hits in 3.2 innings of work.  Joshua Guptill (Celmson, S.C.) came in to relieve Phinny and ended the inning with a strikeout.

Zimolka added an RBI single in the fifth, but Salem State scored three more in the bottom of frame to take a 12-2 lead.  Shawn Rebello (Milford, Mass.) doubled to right and an error led to another run before Toomey notched his fifth RBI of the game with a single to left.

Nick Aslanian (Lynnfield, Mass.) relieved Kelleher in the seventh. Kelleher earned his first win, going six innings, giving up two runs on five hits with five strikeouts.

???????Aslanian, Steve Leavitt (Peabody, Mass.) and Brock Riley (Lowell, Mass.) each tossed a scoreless inning in relief to close out the game.

???????Cedano went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI and three runs scored for the Vikings.