SALISBURY, Md. – Four players collected multiple hits and three recorded multiple-RBI games as the No. 9 Salisbury University baseball team defeated the University of Maine at Presque Isle, 10-4, at the SU Baseball Field on Friday.
Salisbury (2-0), which banged out 12 hits, was led by junior Bill Root, who was 3-for-3 with three runs scored, three walks, two doubles and two RBIs. Senior Nick Gentry went 2-for-6 with a run scored, two batted in and two stolen bases to bring his total to four in two games this season.
Sophomore left-hander Dan Fein (1-0) earned the win out of the bullpen, pitching 3 2/3 innings, while allowing three hits and two walks, in relief of starter Brett Collacchi, who got four outs. Fein also struck out four.
The Sea Gulls came from behind with five runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 6-4 lead. Junior Johnny Schiotis doubled to left-center field, scoring classmate Rutger Floyd from second. Two batters later, Root doubled home Schiotis to cut the Owls' lead to 4-3. Gentry followed with an RBI single up the middle to tie the game, before Gentry scored when Ken O'Neill reached on an error by Cam Morrell at third base. SU tacked on another run when Jordan Perry (0-1) uncorked a wild pitch to score Kyle Hayman.
Salisbury added two runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings. Root ripped a double to left field with two outs in the seventh to plate Schiotis, who walked, and Gentry singled up the middle scoring Root.
In the eighth, catcher Austin Barefoot lifted a fly ball to right field, which Shane Smith dropped with two outs, allowing Quinn Griffith to come in. Third baseman Bobby Sanzone then singled home pinch runner Tyler Illian.
Presque Isle (0-1) opened the scoring in the top of the first. Carlos Villoria singled through the left side of the infield to plate Smith. After an RBI groundout to shortstop by Hayman scored Root to tie it. Justin Bergeron, Jordan Duffy and Morrell had RBI singles to retake the lead in the top of the second.
Relievers Kyle Hamby, Max Shannon and Danny Druzgala combined to throw four innings of one-hit baseball to shut down the Owls' offense. Hamby pitched the sixth and seventh innings, striking out the side in both frames.
Presque Isle received two hits apiece from Tanner Marshall and Duffy in the loss.
Salisbury is back in action on Monday, hosting Division II Post University in a doubleheader, beginning at noon.