SALEM, WV - Eight runs over the course of the first three innings propelled the Alderson Broaddus University Battlers to an 11-5 victory against the Salem International University Tigers on Wednesday afternoon (March 8) in NCAA Division II baseball action.

Senior Donato Gallano finished the game 2-for-4 with a double and one run batted in for SIU, while senior Trent Dalton went 1-for-2 at the plate with one RBI and a pair of walks. Freshman Tyler Ault also worked a pair of walks at the plate for SIU while recording a hit and a run scored.

The Battlers would get to Tigers sophomore starter Steven Craddock in the top of the first inning as AB sent nine batters to the plate, scoring five runs in the process. Jordan Martin, Chuck Hooker, and Earl Kochel all delivered RBI doubles for AB in the frame.

Sophomore Michael Rupp would be called upon to quiet the AB offense in the top of the second inning. The Battlers plated a single run in the frame and two more in the third inning to up their lead to 8-0.

Rupp settled in and kept the Battlers off of the scoreboard in the fourth and fifth innings. The Tigers couldn't seem to catch a break against AB starter Grant Noon, who held SIU scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning.

Trailing 10-0 in the seventh, Dalton gave the Tigers their first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to deep center field. Senior Matthew Flores followed suit with a sacrifice fly of his own to trim the AB lead to 10-2.

Sophomore Jordan Wagner relieved Rupp to start the top of the eighth inning. Wagner allowed one run to score in the inning on an RBI single from Cameron Murray.

SIU added another run in the bottom portion of the inning against the Battlers' bullpen. Sophomore Jimmy Cramer recorded the Tigers' third sacrifice fly of the game to make it 11-3 AB.

Gallano and senior Sean Deviney each recorded RBI singles in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Tigers, trimming the deficit to 11-5. Unfortunately the Tigers wouldn't get any closer as the Battlers closed the door on SIU to preserve the 11-5 victory.

Craddock (0-3) suffered the loss for SIU after allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits in one inning of work. Rupp helped a short-staffed SIU bullpen by tossing six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. Wagner and Dalton each worked an inning for the Tigers, with Dalton holding the Battlers scoreless in the top of the ninth inning.

Noon (1-0) recorded the win for the Battlers after allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings of work. J.J. Espy surrendered one run in his one inning of work, while Cory Hayden allowed two runs on two hits after facing five batters in the ninth. Justin Smith closed things out for AB by recording the final two outs of the game.