MURFREESBORO, NC - Despite trimming an early four-run deficit down to one, the Salem International University Tigers dropped a 14-6 decision in game one of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 22) in NCAA Division II baseball action. 

Sophomore Jimmy Cramer finished the game 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored for SIU, while senior Donato Gallano went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in for the Tigers. Senior Matt Flores recorded a pair of doubles while also plating a run for SIU. Sophomore Isaiah Arroyo also hit his first home run of the season for the Tigers.

The Hawks started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning against sophomore starter Jordan Wagner. Chowan plated four-runs in the frame with a pair of run-scoring doubles. 

SIU wouldn't let the big first inning for the Hawks get to them as they responded by scoring a run on Arroyo's home run to left center. The Tigers cut into the Hawks' lead again in the top of the third inning as Flores doubled to right center to score Cramer. Senior Sean Deviney then made it 4-3 with his single to center field to score Flores.

Chowan quickly added to its lead by scoring two more runs against Wagner in the bottom of the third inning. A two-run home run to left center gave the Hawks a 6-3 lead and would shift the momentum back to the home team.

After the Hawks extended their lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Tigers scored a run of their own. Gallano singled to right field and allowed Cramer to score and Flores to advance to third. The Hawks would get out of the jam by recording a pair of strikeouts to end the frame.

The bottom of the fifth inning would be pivotal for the Hawks, who scored seven runs to open the game wide-open and up their lead to 14-4. The inning saw three-different pitchers on the mound for SIU as Wagner would be unable to record an out in the frame. Sophomore Josh Delaney recorded one out before yielding way to sophomore Michael Rupp. 

SIU continued to work against the Chowan bullpen and produced a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. With a runner on third base, freshman Tyler Ault delivered an RBI groundout to the third baseman. A single from Cramer and a walk to Flores put a pair of runners on base for SIU with two outs in the inning. Gallano plated Cramer with a single through the left side. The rally came to an end for the Tigers as Deviney popped up to first base.

Both teams would go scoreless in their final at-bats in the contest. Wagner was handed with the loss for SIU after surrendering nine runs on 12 hits through four innings of work. Rupp worked the final 1.2 innings for SIU and kept the Hawks off of the scoreboard while yielding two hits.