SALISBURY, Md. - Starting pitcher Ryan Bennick threw one bad pitch in the ninth inning that ruined his shutout bid as the junior earned the complete game 7-2 win for No. 8 Salisbury University against Capital Athletic Conference foe St. Mary's (Md.) College here Wednesday.

Bennick (6-0) was one out away from closing out the Seahawks (14-11, 2-3 CAC) in the ninth but catcher Michael Broccolino had other intentions. Broccolino connected on a Bennick pitch and sent it over the right field fence for a two-run home run, his first of the season.

Salisbury (21-3, 4-1 CAC) scored three runs in the third and eighth innings and added one in the fourth. Eight of the nine starters for SU had a hit in the game as the Gulls collected 12 total hits off SMC.

Senior third baseman Alex Vitale (2-for-4, two RBIs) got the scoring started for the maroon and gold in the bottom of the third. Vitale singled to right-center field as Colin Kraus (2-for-4, one RBI, one run) and Randy Boyle (1-for-5, two runs, one RBI) came around to score. Second baseman Mark Bostwick followed with a RBI single that plated freshman Mike Celenza (2-for-4, one run) to hand SU a 3-0 lead.

That would be all the run support Bennick needed as the right-hander allowed two SMC runs on five hits, walked one and struck out four. The Seahawks grounded out nine times and flew out 13 times.

Seahawk starter Paul Burch (1-5) suffered his fifth loss of the season as he hurled seven innings where he allowed four SU runs on nine hits, walked three and struck out five. Relief pitcher Kevin DiManna allowed three SU runs in the eighth on three hits and one walk. SMC committed four errors in the loss.

CAC Player of the Week Justin Armiger went 1-for-3 at the plate for the Gulls and scored twice. Shortstop Brian Camper (2-for-3) was the other multi-hit performer for the Gulls.

Salisbury and St. Mary's (Md.) will complete their home-and-home series Noon, Saturday, March 31, in St. Mary's City, Md.