Baseball’s Winning Streak Halted with 5-2 Loss to No. 7 Salisbury in the NCAA Tournament

Baseball | 5/18/2014 12:00:00 AM

(box score)

Despite three hits apiece from freshman Nicholas Enos (Williamstown, NJ) and senior Michael Riverso (Philadelphia, PA), Widener saw its 10-game winning streak snapped with a 5-2 loss to No. 7 Salisbury at the NCAA Tournament Mideast Regional in Marietta, OH.

Widener (33-12) falls into the elimination bracket and will face either Thomas More or No. 20 Case Western Reserve at 5:30 pm. The two latter schools battle in their own elimination game at 2:15 pm.

Salisbury (36-7) plated two runs in the last of the second inning, marking just the 18th time this season in 45 contests Widener did not score first. Jordan Gowe reached on a one-out error, was singled to third base by Austin Barefoot and scored on a single from Ken O'Neill. Two batters later, Kyle Hayman singled to plate Barefoot for a 2-0 margin.

Widener had a golden opportunity to score in the top of the third when Riverso ripped a single to right-center field. But center fielder Bill Root got the ball to second baseman Johnny Schiotis, who threw a strike to Barefoot to get junior Paul Shepherd (Secane, PA) at the plate.

The Pride did get one back in the fourth for a 2-1 game. Enos ripped a leadoff single, was sacrificed to second by fellow freshman Greg McDonough (Ambler, PA), reached third on a wild pitch and scored on a bunt groundout from senior Sam Christie (Upper Darby, PA).

Salisbury, which advances to the championship round, came back in bottom of the frame with two runs for a 4-1 lead. A leadoff walk to Barefoot began things that eventually led to Pete Grasso getting a two-out, two-run single to center field.

Widener got that run back in the sixth when Enos had a leadoff double, reached third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout from freshman Justin Healey (Ocean City, NJ) for a 4-2 deficit. But Salisbury re-took the three-run cushion in the seventh when a throwing error on a fielder's choice allowed Schiotis to score for a 5-2 margin.

Enos and Riverso had all of the hits for the Pride, getting three apiece. Blackwood, NJ sophomore Joe Santone (6-4) did his best against a very good lineup, but could not overcome five runs – three earned – and 10 hits over eight innings for his third complete game of the year.

Hayman had a game with four of Salisbury's 10 hits and six others recorded one. Connor Shockley (8-0) came out of the bullpen to allow just one run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Sam Christie: OF; 5' 10"; Senior

#13 Michael Riverso: OF/1B; 6' 1"; Senior

#9 Joe Santone: OF/P; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#8 Justin Healey: 2B/3B; 5' 11"; First Year

#10 Paul Shepherd: C; 5' 11"; Junior

#16 Nick Enos: IF; 5' 10"; First Year

#26 Greg McDonough: OF; 5' 8"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#22 Sam Christie
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OF

#13 Michael Riverso
: 6' 1"; Senior
: OF/1B

#9 Joe Santone
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: OF/P

#8 Justin Healey
: 5' 11"; First Year
: 2B/3B

#10 Paul Shepherd
: 5' 11"; Junior
: C

#16 Nick Enos
: 5' 10"; First Year
: IF

#26 Greg McDonough
: 5' 8"; First Year
: OF