COLLEGE PARK, GA – Sophomore Albert Cartenuto hit a second-inning two-run home run and junior Zach Mullinax drove in the eventual game-winning run in a doubleheader split for Salem International University on Friday afternoon (Feb. 24) as the Tigers were victorious 5-4 in game one and would fall 8-5 in game two against Clark Atlanta University in NCAA Division II baseball action. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final: Salem Int'l 5, Clark Atlanta University 4
         Salem Int'l 5, Clark Atlanta University 8
Records: Salem Int'l (1-11), Clark Atlanta University (4-6)
Location: Bill Evans Field | College Park, Georgia

HOW IT HAPPENED:

•  Game One
  • Senior Abel Hernandez made his fourth start of the season for SIU in game one.
  • The Tigers would strand a pair of runners on base in the top of the first inning after Mullinax and senior Matthew Flores recorded singles up the middle.
  • Hernandez kept the Panthers' bats quiet in the bottom half of the inning, recording a pair of strikeouts.
  • Senior Sean Deviney worked a lead-off walk for SIU in the top of the second and would score on a two-run home run from Cartenuto down the right field line.
  • The Tigers would go to work with two outs in the inning as freshman Tyler Ault delivered a single into right field.
  • Ault followed his single up by swiping second base and eventually stealing home to give SIU a 3-0 lead.
  • Both teams would fail to add any runs to the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth inning.
  • A fielding error with one out in the inning allowed Clark Atlanta to put together a four run rally. 
  • The rally would be highlighted by a three-run home run from Andrades.
  • Trailing 4-3 in the top of the seventh inning, the Tigers mounted a two-out rally, starting with a walk to Ault. After senior Donato Gallano was hit by a pitch, Flores singled to left field to knot the game 4-4.
  • With runners on second and third, Mullinax hit the go-ahead single through the left-side to make it 5-4 SIU.
  • Hernandez recorded his second complete game of the season working a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh to secure the win.
  • Hernandez (1-3) allowed just two earned runs on five hits through seven innings of work. He also fanned nine batters without issuing a walk.
  • Moore (1-2) was handed with the tough-luck loss after exiting the game with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. He was charged with all five runs that came on five hits. He walked three batters and fanned five.
  • Flores and Mullinax each finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI.
•  Game Two
  • The Tigers turned to sophomore Steven Craddock for game two of the twin bill against the Panthers.
  • Clark Atlanta scored the first run of the game on a bases-loaded wild pitch from Craddock.
  • SIU responded by knotting the game 1-1 in the top of the second inning as sophomore Ethan Turner hit a sacrifice-fly to left field that allowed Mullinax to score from third base.
  • The Panthers then plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to retake the lead, 3-1. Both of the runs would score on a single to center field by Randle.
  • SIU cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning as Gallano scored from third on a throwing error by the catcher.
  • A four-run fourth would open up the game for Clark Atlanta. Randle recorded his third RBI of the game in the frame with a single through the right-side.
  • Trailing 8-2 after six innings of play, the Tigers would once-again rally against the Panthers' pitching staff. Sophomore Isaiah Arroyo singled to score Mullinax and would be followed by Turner and sophomore Jimmy Cramer scoring on a throwing error by the catcher.
  • After cutting the gap to 8-5, the Panthers would record the final out of the game via strikeout to secure the victory.
  • Craddock (0-2) was handed with the loss after exiting the game with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning. 
  • Craddock allowed seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits, while striking out three batters and issuing one walk.
  • Senior Josh VanMeter tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief for the Tigers, fanning three batters in the process. Sophomore Michael Rupp worked one inning, allowing one run on three hits with a a pair of strikeouts.

UP NEXT:

The Tigers wrap-up the Clark Atlanta University Classic by playing a pair of games against Fairmont State University on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 25) at 12 and 2 p.m. Both games will take place at Bill Evans Field in College Park. SIU then heads to Raleigh, North Carolina on March 4 and 5 for a four-game series against St. Augustine's University.