April 17, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Ockimey, Sermo power Salem bats
4/17 Cup of Coffee: Only two Red Sox affiliates were active as Pawtucket and Portland each had off days on Easter Sunday but Salem and Greenville each won in convincing fashion. Salem put together a slugfest win with big days from Josh Ockimey (pictured), Jose Sermo, and Tate Matheny backing a solid start by Travis Lakins. Shaun Anderson pitched well and earned the win for Greenville, with Nick Lovullo picking up three hits.
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The first four batters in Salem's lineup each recorded multiple hits as the Red Sox waltzed to victory over the Wood Ducks. Leadoff hitter Tate Matheny was 2 for 4 with a walk, homer, and three runs scored. Josh Ockimey was 2 for 4 with a walk, a double, and two RBIs. Jose Sermo was 4 for 5 with a double and two RBIs. Starting pitcher Travis Lakins continued his strong start to the season, allowing two runs and striking out four in five innings. Adam Lau and Yankory Pimentel each threw two shutout frames to close out the game.
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The Drive rode five strong innings by Shaun Anderson to victory on Sunday afternoon as the right-hander allowed one run, striking out six and walking three. Dakota Smith tossed two shutout innings of relief and Stephen Nogosek allowed a run in two innings to pick up the save. Nick Lovullo led the Drive's lineup with a 3-for-4 game, knocking a double and scoring a run. The big hits came from Lorenzo Cedrola, who stroked a two-run single in the second, and Roldani Baldwin with a two-run double in the third.
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Player of the Day: The Salem lineup put together an impressive performance against Down East but nobody hit better than Jose Sermo. Starting at designated hitter, Sermo was 4 for 5 with a run, a double, and two RBIs. The switch-hitter is now 5 for 17 on the season and collected his first extra-base hit of the year.
Photo Credit: Josh Ockimey by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Josh Ockimey by Kelly O'Connor