SAVANNAH, GA – Seniors Donato Gallano and Matthew Flores both hit home runs in a doubleheader loss for Salem International University on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 19) as the Tigers fell 21-3 and 11-2 against Armstrong State University in NCAA Division II baseball action. Gallano finished the day 3-for-6 at the plate for SIU.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salem Int'l 3, Armstrong State University 21
Salem Int'l 2, Armstrong State University 11
Records: Salem Int'l (0-10), Armstrong State University (9-2)
Location: Pirates Field | Savannah, Georgia
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Game One
- Freshman Stephen Craddock got the start for SIU and would be one of six Tigers to toe the mound in game one.
- The Pirates scored a pair of runs against the Tigers in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run home run.
- Sophomore Ethan Turner cut the Armstrong State lead to 2-1 in the top of the second inning as his pop-up to the second baseman would be dropped, allowing junior Zach Mullinax to score.
- Mullinax started the inning for SIU with a single through the left-side.
- Sophomore Michael Rupp took over on the mound for the Tigers in the bottom-half of the frame. Rupp allowed a solo home run on the first pitch of the inning as ASU re-gained a two-run lead (3-1).
- SIU looked poised to have a big third inning against the Pirates, loading the bases with one out. The Tigers would get their second run of the game on a sacrifice-fly from Mullinax to score freshman Tyler Ault. Ault reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning.
- The Tigers left the bases loaded after a force-out at second base got the Pirates out of a jam.
- ASU would put things out of reach in the bottom-half of the inning as they went on to plate 14 runs on 10 hits. The inning featured two home runs for the Pirates and three pitchers for SIU.
- Senior Josh VanMeter, the third pitcher of the inning for SIU, recorded all-three outs in the frame after Turner and sophomore Jordan Wagner failed to record an out for the Tigers.
- Gallano hit his first home run of the season for the Tigers in the top of the fifth inning, driving a ball over the left field fence.
- ASU added a run in both the fourth and fifth before plating a pair of runs in the sixth inning.
- Craddock (0-1) was handed with his first loss of the season after allowing two runs on two hits in one inning of work. VanMeter and Mullinax both tossed two innings for SIU.
- Game Two
- The Tigers turned to senior Abel Hernandez for game two of the twin bill against the Pirates.
- ASU scored the first seven runs of the contest, including six in the second inning against Hernandez.
- Ault and Gallano tried to start a rally for SIU in the top of the third inning as Ault singled with one out and Gallano a walk in the following at-bat. The two-out rally wouldn't pan out for SIU as Flores struck-out swinging to end the frame.
- The Pirates tagged Hernandez for four more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, stretching their lead to 11-0.
- SIU broke Armstrong's shutout in the top of the sixth inning. Gallano started the inning by sending a 2-0 pitch back-up the middle for the Tigers. Flores followed with a first-pitch homer to left field, his first of the season.
- Hernandez (0-3) was handed with the loss after exiting the game to start the fifth inning. Hernandez allowed 11 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits while striking out seven batters and issuing one walk.
- Rupp tossed the final two innings for the Tigers, allowing only one hit and keeping the Pirates off of the scoreboard. Rupp fanned two of the seven batters that he faced for SIU.
UP NEXT:
The Tigers head to Atlanta, Georgia next weekend to participate in the Clark Atlanta University Classic. SIU plays host Clark Atlanta at 2 and 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon (Feb. 24). The Tigers will then do battle with Fairmount State University on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 25) at 12 and 2 p.m. All-four games will take place at Bill Evans Field in Atlanta. SIU then head to Raleigh, North Carolina on March 4 and 5 for a four-game series against St. Augustine's University.
