DuBOIS, Pa. – In a thrilling display of resilience, the Salem University Tigers (35-17) overcame a seven-run deficit to defeat Penn State Du Bois (31-7) by a score of 8-7 on Tuesday afternoon. The Tigers' offense exploded for eight runs in the final four innings, capped by a three-run walk-off surge in the bottom of the seventh.
Early Struggles
The game began heavily in favor of Penn State Du Bois. Isaac Tiracorda opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning. The lead widened significantly in the second as the visitors batted around, capitalizing on four walks and five hits to drive in six runs. By the middle of the second inning, Salem trailed 7-0.
The Rally Begins
After being held scoreless through three frames, Salem finally broke through in the fourth inning.
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Cody Thomas sparked the offense with an RBI double to right-center, scoring Aaron Forbes.
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Chase Clemons followed with a two-RBI double to left field.
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Max Atkinson added a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Clemons.
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Jimmy Laforce then scored on an error during a failed pickoff attempt, cutting the deficit to 7-5.
Seventh Inning Heroics
The score remained 7-5 until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Salem's bats came alive once more. Reese Rinna ignited the comeback with a leadoff solo home run to right-center, bringing the Tigers within one run. Following a single by Forbes and a sacrifice bunt by Thomas, Landon McAlpine delivered a clutch RBI double down the left-field line to tie the game at 7-7.
With two outs and the winning run on third, Max Atkinson stepped to the plate and reached on a single to third base, driving in McAlpine for the walk-off victory.
Pitching and Defensive Stand
While the offense provided the fireworks, Salem's bullpen kept the team in the game. After a difficult first inning for the starter, Aiden Eddy, Logan Prater, and Zach Allen combined to throw 6.0 innings of scoreless relief, allowing only one hit. Allen (1-0) earned the win, retiring all four batters he faced.
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