Salisbury, Md. - Salisbury University senior
Alex Vitale blasted a grand slam in the first game
of Monday's baseball doubleheader against No. 29 Methodist
University to set the tone for the No. 9 Sea Gulls, who swept the
Monarchs in two nine-inning games at a windy Sea Gull Field.
SU junior Ryan Bennick (8-1) pitched a complete
game and allowed only four runs on seven hits and struck out nine
in the 12-4 victory.
The Sea Gulls (32-7) turned around in game two and won 7-3 after
the Gulls trailed 1-0 earlier on. SU has now won 10 in a row.
Vitale was a factor in the second game, as well, when the third
baseman slugged his team leading eighth home run, a three-run shot
in the third inning to put SU up 4-1. He finished the two-game
series with seven RBIs and is now the team leader in runs batted in
with 52.
The Sea Gull pitching staff, the best in the nation, continued
to get the job done as senior Bryan Brainer (8-2)
pitched 6.2 innings where he allowed three runs on seven hits and
struck out three and walked three. Sophomore Eric
Willey came in to close out the game and earn his third
save of the season. Willey struck out five Monarch (29-13) batters,
walked one and allowed one hit in just over two innings.
Salisbury freshman Mike Celenza was a triple
short of hitting for the cycle in the first game as the first
baseman finished the day 4-for-8 with three RBIs.
Senior catcher Pete Callahan hit two doubles in
game one and caught Monarch base runner Brian Halpin stealing for
the final out of the first game. Junior back-up Tyler
Riley matched Callahan's offensive output with two doubles
of his own in the second game and drove in two runs.
Methodist University pitcher Elliot Bisplinghoff (7-1) was dealt
his first loss of the season in game one. MU pitcher Kurt Kelly
(2-7) lost the second game as he allowed seven runs (three earned)
on 11 hits in 7.2 innings.
The Sea Gulls have two more regular-season games this week as
the maroon and gold will make-up a rain out date with Wesley
College on the road this Wednesday, May 9 at 3 p.m. SU will host
Montclair State on Thursday, May 10 at 3 p.m.
