WESTFIELD, MA- Westfield State University split the doubleheader against Salem State University on Saturday in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Westfield State University's baseball team defeated Salem State University in game one of the doubleheader by a score of 10-8, while the Vikings bounced back to win the nightcap, 6-0.

Westfield State is now 13-13-1 on the season, with Salem standing at 14-11. Both teams are 3-3 in the MASCAC.

In the opener, the Owls came out to strong start scoring three runs in the bottom of the first off of two-run double from Aaron Clancy (Quincy, Ma) over the centerfielder's head. He was followed up by another double from Brett Dooley (Cohasset, Ma/ The Gunnery) scoring Clancy. Westfield would put up another run in the bottom of the second after Alex Lafayette (Ludlow, Ma) was hit by a pitch.

Salem State would figure things out offensively in the fourth inning as they put up six runs on the Owls. An RBI double to left field for Madoc Fisher (Wayne, NJ/ Paramus Catholic) got the scoring started for the Vikings. Kyle O'Connor (Lynn, Ma/ Lynn English) would get a single of his own knocking in two more. Mac Daniel Singleton (Everett, Ma) drove one in with a bases loaded single followed by another bases loaded single by RJ Warnock (North Reading, Ma), which drove in a pair to make it 6-4 Vikings.

In the bottom half of the fourth, Westfield's Anthony Crowley (Bellingham, Ma) crushed a triple to left, driving in two runs to tie it at six.

Salem put up two more runs in the fifth after Fisher scored on a passed ball and then Brendan Greene (Winchester, Ma/ Bridgeton Academy) knocked in Jose Cedano (Lawrence, Ma) to make it 8-6 Vikings.

The Owls would follow up again with four runs of their own to take that final 10-8 lead. John Lippincott (Barkhamstead, Conn/Northwestern Reg.) drove in a run as well as Colin Dunn (Westfield, Ma) after a double to right center. Lafayette would later drive in another two on a single through short.

Lippincott finished 3-5 with three runs and three RBI. Dooley added three hits and a pair of doubles for Westfield.

John Gegetskas threw four innings and allowed zero earned runs with five strikeouts for the Owls, while Vikings starter Brock Riley went two innings and allowed three earned runs and had three strikeouts. Liam Neri was the beneficiary of the Owls big inning in the fifth, earning the win in relief. Scott Strachan and Tyler Tongue recorded the final six outs for the Owls, with Tongue picking up his second save of the season.

Ed Duran took the loss in relief for Salem. RJ Warnock had a pair of hits for the Vikings.

The Vikings took game two of the doubleheader, defeating the Owls 6-0. Steve Leavitt (3-2) (Peabody, Mass/Peabody Veterans Memorial) threw seven shutout innings and allowed just two hits with four strikeouts to earn the win for the Vikings.

Leavitt carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, which was broken up by Anthony Crowley's double off the wall in left. The Owls Colin Dunn added a single in the seventh.

Westfield State freshman starter Vincenzo Camera (East Haven, Conn) allowed two runs on just two hits, but worked from the stretch all day, yielding four walks and a pair of hit batsmen as well.

Alex Toomey (Beverly, Ma) got the scoring started for the Vikings in the fourth with an RBI single on a ground ball that snuck through the left side. O'Connor scored in the sixth after stealing second, advancing to third on a balk, and then scoring on a wild pitch. Salem added four insurance runs in the seventh led by a two run homer by Joe White (Bellingham, Ma/West Boca Raton) off the right field scoreboard.

The Owls will next play a doubleheader against Fitchburg State University on Tuesday, April 17 at 1 p.m. in Westfield. (Note; The game was pushed back from its scheduled Monday date due to anticipated heavy rains).

Salem State is scheduled play Worcester State University on Monday, April 16 in a doubleheader in Salem at 12 p.m.

-- story by Mike Witts, sports information intern