QUAKERS OUTSLUGGED BY GIRARD

GIRARD, OH- Salem came out swinging, but Girard’s bats were hotter and the Indians pulled away late for an 11-6 win on Monday.

The Quakers grabbed an early lead, plating two runs in the first off a Colin Riesen sac fly and a Derek Oesch RBI single. Oesch kept producing, tying the game at 3-3 in the third and finishing 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs on the day.

Troy Gibson gave Salem a short-lived lead in the fourth with an RBI single, but the fifth inning belonged to Girard. The Indians dropped a seven-spot in the frame, with Evan Tuttle delivering the knockout blow — a two-run single on an 0-2 pitch. That explosion flipped a 4-3 deficit into a 10-4 advantage.

Salem totaled 10 hits in the game, with Bairon Exline and Braydon Van Dyne each going 3-for-4. Girard countered with 12 hits of their own, including a four-hit performance by leadoff man Will Hynes. Zach Ward drove in three runs, while Ja’den Royal had a two-hit night and helped Girard run wild on the bases with eight total steals.

Ricky Plant picked up the win for Girard, working five innings and limiting damage despite giving up eight hits. Oesch took the loss for Salem after going 4.2 innings with four strikeouts.

The Quakers will try to bounce back Tuesday when they host Minerva.