NUTTER FORT, W.Va. – The Salem University baseball team showed fight late Thursday afternoon at Frank Loria Memorial Field, scoring three runs over the final two innings before falling 8-3 to Indiana (Pa.).
Senior right-hander Brian Kendall delivered a strong start on the mound for the Tigers, pitching into the sixth inning while striking out six. Kendall limited Indiana (Pa.) to just one hit through the first five innings and kept Salem within reach as the offense searched for momentum.
Aiden Eddy followed in relief with 1.2 innings of work, and Logan Prater added 1.1 innings out of the bullpen to hold the deficit before the ninth inning.
Tigers Break Through in the Eighth
Trailing 3-0 in the eighth, Salem generated offense behind Joe Wintermute, who led off the inning with a double. Jimmy LaForce came through with a pinch-hit single to put runners on the corners.
Kylian Izaguirre lifted a sacrifice fly to score Wintermute and put the Tigers on the board. Ryan Chordis later stole second to move into scoring position, but the rally stalled with Salem trailing by two heading to the ninth.
Late Push in the Ninth
After Indiana (Pa.) extended its lead in the top half of the ninth, Salem answered again.
Chase Clemons opened the inning with a single, and Chris Thomas followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position. Aaron Forbes drove in Clemons with an RBI groundout, and Wintermute added another RBI groundout to score Thomas and cap the Tigers' scoring.
Wintermute finished with a double and an RBI, while Thomas also recorded a double. Clemons, LaForce, and Liam McAlpine each added a hit in the effort.
Salem will look to regroup as the Tigers continue their home slate at Frank Loria Memorial Field.
