SALISBURY, Md. - The No. 26 Salisbury
University baseball team used a 12-run first inning to welcome
visiting Eastern University to the 2008 season as the maroon and
gold won going away, 15-1, before a crowd of 100 at Sea Gull Field.
This was the fifth straight win for the Sea Gulls at home this
season.
Salisbury (5-1) sent 16 batters to the plate in the first inning
as the Sea Gulls scored 12 runs on six hits. Eastern (0-1) had a
rough day on the mound as it was the Eagles' season debut. Eastern
starter Zach Clouser (0-1) lasted a third of an inning as he faced
seven batters, walked three, hit two and surrendered six runs on
one hit. Clouser was followed by Brian Miller who got roughed up
for six runs on five hits as he walked three. Amidst all the walks,
senior third baseman Justin Armiger launched a
three-run home run off the scoreboard in left field, his
second homer of the year. Armiger ended the day 2-for-4, three runs
scored and four RBIs.
Junior Eric Willey (2-0) started on the mound
for Salisbury and picked up his second win of the season. Willey
threw four scoreless innings as he gave up two hits, walked three
and struck out eight.
Despite all of the walks in the first inning, the Eastern
pitching staff settled down for the remainder of the afternoon
holding the powerful Sea Gull offense to just three additional
runs. Sophomore Paul Sinclair threw three strong innings in relief
for the Eagles as he allowed two hits, walked three and struck out
three.
The Sea Gulls and Eagles combined to use 15 pitchers in the
nine-inning game as the two teams yielded 24 walks.
SU freshman Andrew Miller (3-for-4) led all Sea
Gull batters with three hits, two runs and one RBI. Senior
Mark Bostwick (2-for-5, one run scored) and junior
Jordan Crystal (2-for-2, two runs scored, two
RBIs) each added two hits in the win.
Salisbury, the defending Capital Athletic Conference champions,
will begin its defense of their title as they open up conference
play Wednesday, February 27, against Wesley College with a 2 p.m.
contest at Sea Gull Field.
