WILSON, NC - Junior Zach Mullinax and freshman Tyler Ault each recorded a pair of hits on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 5) as the Salem International University Tigers dropped a 34-4 decision to the Barton College Bulldogs at Nixon Field in NCAA Division II baseball action. The Bulldogs opened things up by plating 10 runs in the third inning and nine runs in the sixth inning.

The Tigers (0-3) will head to Due West, South Carolina on Friday (Feb 10) and Saturday (Feb 11) for a three-game series with Erskine College. The teams will play a nine-inning contest on Friday afternoon (2 p.m.) and wrap-up the series with two seven-inning games on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m. Live stats will be available for at www.SIUTigerPride.com.

Barton scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning against Tigers senior right-handed starter Josh VanMeter. Senior Andrew Webster delivered the first run for the Bulldogs with his single to center field. Both teams would trade zeros on the scoreboard until the bottom of the third inning.

VanMeter would record one out in the bottom of the third inning before exiting the contest. Sophomore left-hander Joshua Delaney was dealt with the task of navigating his way through the rest of the frame. The Bulldogs 10-run frame was highlighted by a three-run home from Webster, his first of two in the contest. Sophomore Ricks Dearing and senior Tyler Garrett each recorded two-RBI hits in the frame for Barton.

The Tigers snapped the shutout bid for Barton sophomore starter Dylan Ward in the top of the sixth inning. Ward would exit with two outs in the frame and runners on base. Senior Trent Dalton started the inning with a single to center field for SIU and two batters later would advance thanks to a single from Ault. Sophomore Isaiah Arroyo continued his streak of driving in runs for the Tigers with an RBI-groundout that scored Dalton from third. Senior Donato Gallano kept the inning alive for SIU by reaching base on an error committed by the shortstop. The play allowed Ault to easily score from third base and give the Tigers their second run of the game.

Momentum quickly switched back to the Bulldogs, who put together another huge inning by scoring nine in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Hunter Pearre drilled a single back up the middle into center field, allowing a pair of Barton runners to score. The next at-bat saw Webster connect for his second home run of the game, clearing the wall in center field against Gallano, who would be replaced by Mullinax.

Barton used one final charge in the bottom of the eighth inning against Mullinax and the Tigers. The Bulldogs would plate seven runs in the frame as senior pinch-hitter Blake Spangenberg doubled to right center to drive in two runs for Barton.

Senior Sean Deviney laced a single down the left field line for the Tigers in the top of the ninth inning, resulting in two runs scoring. One of the two runners to score on the play, sophomore Jimmy Cramer started the inning with a double, his lone hit of the contest.

VanMeter (0-1) was dealt with the loss for SIU after surrendering 12 runs on 11 hits in 2.1 innings of work. The Tigers used six pitchers in the game, with Mullinax recording five strikeouts in his 2.1 innings of work. Dalton was the final pitcher to toe the rubber for SIU, recording one out and allowing one hit. At the plate, Mullinax finished the game 2-for-5 at the plate, while Ault was 2-for-3 with a run scored. SIU stranded five runners on base and struck-out 11 times in the game.

Ward (1-0) earned the win for Barton despite not making it through the sixth inning. Ward allowed two runs - one earned - on five hits through 5.2 innings of work. He also fanned seven batters without issuing a walk. Junior Andrew Davis, sophomore Jordan Ramos, and sophomore Troy Maslowski combined to toss 2.1 innings of scoreless relief for the Bulldogs. Barton tallied 29 hits with Webster, Pearre, and Garrett leading the way with four a piece. Webster recorded six RBIs to go along with his two home runs, while Pearre accounted for four RBIs and six runs scored.