MOOSIC, Pa. – The No. 10 Salisbury University baseball team kept its season alive on Thursday afternoon, defeating Salve Regina University, 5-3, in the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament at PNC Field in Moosic, Pennsylvania.

The Sea Gulls got the bats going early, collecting hits in the first and second innings, before breaking through in the third to take a 3-0 lead.

Singles from senior Alex Lipman and junior Tom LaBriola, followed by a walk by senior Jake Dmiterchik, loaded the bases for the Gulls to start the frame. Junior Pete Grasso drove a single into left field to plate the first run, before a walk by freshman Jack Barry and a Seahawk error allowed the next two runs to come in.

Salve Regina was able to respond in the bottom of the third on an RBI fielder's choice with John Militano at the plate, cutting the lead to 3-1.

The quick offense was backed by strong pitching by Grasso, as he only allowed the one run in six innings of work for his team-leading seventh win of the season. He struck out eight in the contest, while scattering three hits.

He held the Seahawks to only one hit combined in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, as Salisbury continued to hold its two-run lead.

The Sea Gulls tacked on two more runs in the top of the eighth that would prove to be the difference in the game. Senior Tyler Hrycak led off the frame with a double to left-center field, and sophomore Brad Keith walked to get two on. Both runners came home on an RBI single up the middle by Lipman to boost the lead to 5-1.

Salve Regina was able to get a run in each of the final two innings, but was unable to complete the comeback attempt. Seniors Connor Shockley and Jon Schmedel combined to pitch the final three innings in relief to preserve the win.

The Sea Gulls will be back in action in the first game of Friday, May 20, taking on Penn State University-Berks to start things off. The game is scheduled for 10 a.m., as another elimination contest in the regional tournament.