SALISBURY, MD. - The No. 9 Salisbury University
baseball team had four pitchers combine on a six-hit shutout as the
Sea Gulls rolled to a 13-0 victory over Arcadia University on a
blustery Thursday afternoon at Sea Gull Field. The Sea Gulls used
an 11-hit performance as they capitalized on seven Arcadia errors
to collect their 40th consecutive regular-season victory that dates
back to last season.
Salisbury (6-0) was fueled by the outstanding performance of
junior first baseman Mike Celenza (two runs, two
RBIs) who belted two home runs. Junior left fielder Matt
O'Keefe (two RBIs) had a game-high three hits and two runs
scored. The SU offense was paced by sophomore third baseman
Brian Green (two hits, three RBIs) and junior
designated hitter Chad Wolfe (three runs).
Arcadia (0-2) had its best chance to get on the scoreboard when
the Knights began the game with back-to-back hits by Matt Pepkowski
and Tim Smith. The Arcadia rally would get shot down as Sea Gull
starter Kyle Judson (2-0) used a strikeout and an
inning-ending double play to end the threat. SU plated its first
runs of the contest in bottom half of the inning when senior second
baseman Randy Boyle drew a one-out walk and scored
on a double by junior catcher Ryan Smith (one run,
one RBI).
The Sea Gulls would get to Arcadia starter Steve Romond (0-1) in
the second as they tacked on three more runs. Wolfe began the frame
with a walk and moved to third on a single by O'Keefe. Green would
follow up with a two-run double down the left field line and later
scored when Arcadia's catcher Jason Karlowski sailed a throw into
center field on a stolen base attempt.
The SU bats would die down over the next two innings before
erupting for a five-run fourth inning. With two outs, Celenza laced
his first home run of the contest with a shot over the right field
wall. Salisbury would have its next three batters reach base to set
the stage for O'Keefe. O'Keefe did not disappoint as he cleared the
bases with a two-run single and would later score on a single by
Green. Salisbury was aided by two errors and a wild pitch in the
inning.
After five scoreless innings Judson (five strikeouts) gave way
to freshman Trevor Abbott in the sixth. The lefty,
who made his college debut in the victory, struck out the first
batter before giving up a one-out single to Matt Rottet. Abbott was
not fazed as he induced the following hitter into a double play to
end the inning. Salisbury made the score 10-0 in the bottom half of
the sixth when Celenza blasted his second solo home run of the day
to right.
The Sea Gulls offense was far from done as they put two more
runs on the board in the seventh. Crystal began the inning by
advancing to third on a two error play by the Arcadia
centerfielder. Wolfe followed and plated Crystal with a single to
left. O'Keefe followed up with a double as the Sea Gulls had
runners on second and third for senior right fielder Cody
Collins. Collins laced a shot off of the third baseman
that would score Wolfe. SU capped off its scoring in the ninth when
pinch runner Brad Baylis scored on a two-out
error.
The Sea Gulls shutout was finished off by sophomores
Mark Peterson (one strikeout) and Alex
Duda. The two right-handers each threw one scoreless
inning to end the game.
Arcadia had five players collect hits in the loss. The Knights
totaled six hits on the day, two of which were by David Kutteroff.
Romond was tagged with the loss after he gave up eight runs (four
earned) for the Knights in four and two-third innings.
The win is just a tune-up for the Sea Gulls who welcome
top-ranked SUNY Cortland to Sea Gull Field tomorrow (Friday,
February 20) at 2 p.m.
