Harwich, MA --- Second-seeded Wheaton College drove in all five of their runs with two outs in a 5-3 victory over #7 Salem State in the final game of the opening day of the 2013 NCAA Division III New England Baseball Tournament this evening.
The Lyons (31-10) advance to the winner's bracket and will play again at 8:00 PM on Thursday night against third-seeded Endicott. Salem State (25-14) faces an elimination game on Thursday at 1:00 PM against #6 St. Joseph's (Maine).
Sophomore Apolinar De la Cruz (Providence, RI), junior Kyle McElroy (Newburyport, MA) and senior Dan Gusovsky (Andover, MA) paced a 12-hit attack for Wheaton. Senior Justin Connor also crossed the plate twice for the Lyons.
Junior Kyle McElroy (Newburyport, MA) had a 3-for-4 day for the Vikings and blasted his first career home run to deep left field with two outs in the top of the second inning to put Salem State ahead 1-0.
Wheaton wasted no time in taking the 3-1 edge as Gusovsky led of the bottom of that frame with a double to left field.
Freshman Matt Lavanchy (Walpole, MA) battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a bases loaded walk before senior Eric Jensen (Gorham, NH) gave his team the two-run advantage when he followed with a two-run single to right field.
Salem State battled back and equalized the game 3-3 with single runs over the next two frames.
Senior Steve Buitkus (Reading, MA) helped the Vikings grab an unearned tally in the top of the third when he singled and scored on a throwing error by the shortstop and junior Ethan Trowt (Beverly, MA) scored freshman Richard Fecteau (Newbury, MA) on a sacrifice fly.
Wheaton responded and notched the go-ahead run on an infield single by De la Cruz with two men down for the 4-3 edge.
But both pitching staffs held the game in check over the next three innings as SSU senior Ryan Sharp (Townsend, MA) lived up to his name and tossed 3 2/3 frames of one-run relief to keep the Lyons in check.
Lyons starter Frank Holbrook (Middletown, RI) and freshman Eric Dumas (Brookline, MA) also pitched effective to prevent Salem State from driving in runners on the bases in scoring position as they stranded the tying run on three occasions.
Wheaton finally gave themselves some breathing room in the eighth, when Gusovsky drove in Sean Ryan (Norton, MA) on a single through the left side.
Junior closer Ryan Grant (Easton, MA) pitched a scoreless ninth inning and left a runner on secon to earn his 11th save of the season. Grant tied the Wheaton all-time record with 35 career saves.
Wheaton senior starter Frank Holbrook (Middletown, RI) worked six innings allowing three runs (two earned) while he scattered eight hits. Holbrook (8-1) rung up six on strikes and he walked one batter.
Lacroix (3-4) allowed four earned runs on six hits and four walks over four innings, though he did strike out five Wheaton batters.
Buitkus and senior Bill Cataldo (Reading, MA) both added two hits for the Vikings to propel a 10-base-knock effort at the plate for Salem State.