RALEIGH, NC - Senior Matthew Flores delivered a two-out double in the top of the sixth inning in game two to give the Salem International University Tigers a 3-2 lead en route to a 4-2 victory against Saint Augustine's University on Sunday afternoon (March 5) in NCAA Division II baseball action. The Falcons scored five runs over the first three innings of game one en route to a 7-2 victory against the Tigers.

Sophomore Jimmy Cramer finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate for the Tigers, drawing three walks and driving in one run. A pair of senior's, Donato Gallano and Flores each finished with three hits and two doubles on the day for SIU. Sophomore Albert Cartenuto drilled his second home run of the season in the third inning of game one to knot the score 1-1.

The Tigers are slated to host their first home game of the 2017 season on Wednesday afternoon (March 8). SIU welcomes in Alderson Broaddus University at 4 p.m. to Frank Loria Memorial Field.

Saint Augustine's scored three-times in the bottom of the first inning of game one to stake an early lead against the Tigers. The Falcons would score their three runs in the frame on only one hit and leave the bases loaded. Junior Zach Mullinax would walk in the first run of the game for SAU and hit a pair of batters to allow two more runs to score. Senior Josh VanMeter took over on the mound for Mullinax with two outs and got a groundout to end the frame.

The Falcons would score two more times against VanMeter and the Tigers in the bottom of the third inning to up their lead to 5-0. An run-scoring single and a sacrifice fly would account for both of the SAU runs in the frame as the Falcons stranded a pair of runners on base.

SIU found its way onto the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning against the Falcons' bullpen. Cramer started the two-out rally for the Tigers with a single through the left side and would advance to second on a single by sophomore Ethan Turner. Sophomore Isaiah Arroyo pinch-hit with the bases-loaded for SIU and would plate a pair of runs after an error by the Falcons' second baseman.

Leading 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Falcons regained their five-run lead by scoring a pair of runs against VanMeter. The Tigers would be unable to get any closer in the top of the seventh inning as the Falcons took game one by a score of 7-2.

Mullinax (0-2) was handed with the loss for SIU, while VanMeter worked 4.2 innings of relief and allowed four runs on six hits. Yanez (1-0) recorded the win for the Falcons, tossing five scoreless innings. He scattered three hits while walking four batters and fanning three.

Game two would see the Falcons take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning against SIU sophomore Jordan Wagner. The Falcons scored the run on a sacrifice fly to center field after a pair of singles earlier in the frame. The Tigers would have an answer for the Falcons in the top of the third inning as Cartenuto hit his second home of the season to left field to knot the game 1-1. SIU worked a trio of walks in the frame after the home run and would score the go-ahead run on a free-pass to Cramer to make it 2-1.

Wagner received some great defensive play behind him in the ensuing innings and saw his offense spot him a two-run lead in the top of the sixth inning. It would be another huge two-out hit from the Tigers and Flores make it 3-1 after a double up the middle. The Falcons scored once in the bottom of the inning to trim the deficit to 3-2.

SIU would manufacture a critical run in the top of the seventh inning to regain a two-run cushion. Gallano started the frame with a double down the left field line and would move over to third on a sacrifice bunt by Cramer. Gallano then scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Turner to make it 4-2. On the mound, Gallano closed-out the game for the Tigers by working a scoreless bottom of the seventh to secure the victory.

Wagner (1-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in six innings of work. Gallano earned his second save of the season and the series by facing four batters and fanning one in his single inning of work. Flores and Gallano both finished the game with a pair of doubles for SIU.