Salem Sweeps Davis & Elkins in Saturday Doubleheader
NUTTER FORT, W.Va. – The Salem University baseball team picked up a pair of victories Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader against Davis & Elkins at Frank Loria Memorial Field. The Tigers took the opener 7–2 before finishing the sweep with a dominant 10–0 win in the second game.
Game 1: Salem 7, Davis & Elkins 2
After Davis & Elkins scored in the top of the first inning, Salem responded with a four-run second inning to seize control of the game. The rally was highlighted by RBI hits from Max Castro and Joe Wintermute, while Chase Clemons and Brandon Hoftijzer also drove in runs as the Tigers capitalized on several hit-by-pitches and timely hitting.
Salem added insurance in the sixth inning when Reese Rinna delivered the biggest swing of the game, blasting a double that drove in three runs to extend the lead to 7–1.
On the mound, Conor Thiele turned in a strong complete-game performance for Salem. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits while striking out five to improve to 4–1 on the season.
Rinna finished with three RBIs for the Tigers, while Wintermute and Castro each added an RBI as Salem secured the first game of the doubleheader.
Game 2: Salem 10, Davis & Elkins 0
The Tigers carried that momentum into game two, breaking the game open early with three runs in the first inning. Brandon Hoftijzer delivered the key hit in the frame with a two-run triple before Aaron Forbes followed with a sacrifice fly to give Salem a 3–0 advantage.
Salem continued to add on throughout the game. Hoftijzer stayed hot at the plate, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs, while Cody Thomas added three hits and two RBIs. Reese Rinna also contributed with a two-run double as part of a 13-hit offensive effort for the Tigers.
Jackson Thoma delivered a dominant start on the mound, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out seven to earn the win. JP Martin closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning as Salem completed the shutout.
