BUZZARDS BAY, MA -- Buccaneer baseball hosted Salem State in the first game of their conference series at Hendy Field on Friday afternoon. In a close pitchers duel, the Buccaneers pulled it out for their 20th game of the season by a final of 2-1.

The Basics

Final: Buccaneers 2, Vikings 1

Records: Maritime (20-11, 12-4)

               Salem (16-16, 7-9)

On the Mound

Maritime: Justin Brown (W, 5-1): 8 IP | 7 H | 1 R | 1 ER | 2 BB | 1 K

               Brendan Baiardi (Sv, 5): 1 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 2 K

Salem: Jack Sefrino (L, 2-5): 6.1 IP | 6 H | 2 R | 2 ER | 1 BB | 3 K

At The Plate

Maritime

• Alex Schlapak had three hits in the game, Aidan Henderson had two, including a double.
• AJ Pietrafesa and A.J. Luciano each had one hit. Luciano's was a double.
• Henderson drove in both runs for the Bucs. Those runs were scored by Zach Sylvia and Pietrafesa.
• Sylvia drew the only walk from Salem pitching

Salem

• Traverse Briana had three hits in the game, including a double and a home run and was a triple away from the cycle.
• Four other players had hits for the Vikes.
• Edward Field added an extra-base hit with a double.
• Wilbur Rosario Morel and Brahiam Ortega each stole a base in the loss.

How It Happened

The teams played a scoreless first three innings with bothe pitchers cruising through those innings.

In the fourth, Brown allowed a homerun to Briana which gave Salem a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, the Bucs got that run back and took the lead. Sylvia walked, Pietrafesa singled, Brett Velzis moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt and Henderson drom in the runs on a single.

Up 2-1, Brown continued to cruise into the late innings. Neither team could muster up a run even though Salem had a runner at third with one out in the late innings.

In the ninth, Baiardi came in for his fifth save opportunity. Though he walked a hitter, he struck out two to get the save and secure the win for the Bucs.

What's Next

Maritime and Salem meet on Saturday in Salem for a doubleheader beginning at 12pm.