2008 WestConn Baseball Archives

WESTCONN SEEDED SIXTH IN UPCOMING LITTLE EAST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT BEGINNING ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 7
Will face top seed and host Keene State College in Tournament's opener

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. –Keene State College clinched the program’s first outright Little East Conference Regular Season Championship on Sunday, and earned the top seed and right to host the 2008 Little East Conference Baseball Championship Tournament. The Owls will host the six team, double-elimination tournament at the Owl Athletic Complex, beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7.

Eastern Connecticut State University won the tie-breaker over the University of Southern Maine to earn the second seed in the 12th annual Little East Conference Tournament. Rhode Island College locked down the fourth seed for the third straight season, while the University of Massachusetts at Boston and Western Connecticut State University enter the tournament fray as the fifth and sixth seeds, respectively.

Under the direction of Head Coach Ken Howe, Keene State College set a program record with 12 victories inside the conference circuit, putting an additional win between the previous standard set by the 2006 and 2007 squads. The Owls have been red hot down the stretch, winning 15 of their past 18 contests to raise their overall record to 28-18. Keene State College’s success has translated into the No. 3 ranking in the latest edition of the NCAA Division III New England Regional poll.

Fans unable to make the trip to Keene, N.H. can follow all the action of the conference tournament live on the Little East Conference Tournament Central page. The Keene State College athletics department will be featuring reel-time statistics throughout the entire tournament.

2008 Little East Conference Baseball Championship Tournament

Wednesday, May 7
Game #1: No. 6 Western Connecticut at No. 1 Keene State College, 9 a.m.
Game #2: No. 5 UMass Boston vs. No. 2 Eastern Connecticut State University, 12:00 Noon
Game #3: No. 4 Rhode Island College vs. No. 3 University of Southern Maine, 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 8
Game # 4 Loser Game # 1 vs. Loser Game # 2
Game # 5 Winner Game # 1 vs. Loser Game # 3
Game # 6 Winner Game # 2 vs. Winner Game # 3

If four teams remain after Game #6, the following procedure will be observed:
Friday, May 9
Game # 7 Winner Game # 5 vs. Winner Game # 6
Game # 8 Winner Game # 4 vs. Loser Game # 6
Game # 9 Loser Game # 7 vs. Winner Game # 8

Saturday, May 10
Game # 10 Winner Game # 7 vs. Winner Game # 9
Game # 11 If Necessary: Same Teams as in Game # 10

If five teams remain after Game # 6, the following procedure will be observed:
Friday, May 9
Game # 7 Loser Game # 5 vs. Loser Game # 6
Game # 8 Winner Game # 4 vs. Winner Game # 5
Game # 9 Winner Game # 6 vs. Winner Game # 7

If two teams remain after Game # 9, the following procedure will be observed:
Saturday, May 10
Game # 10 Winner # 8 vs. Winner Game # 9
Game # 11 If Necessary: Same Teams as in Game # 10

If three teams remain after Game # 9, the following procedure will be observed:
Saturday, May 10
Game # 10 Winner Game # 8 vs. Loser Game # 9
Game # 11 Winner Game # 9 vs. Winner Game # 10

Colonials line up gets "Brotherly Love" from the Baccaros
from the baseball team maintained web site:

Dan Baccaro has been a one man wrecking crew since stepping into the DH spot
Dan and Mike combine for 7 hits, 5 runs and 3 RBI's in game versus USM

Last season, Dan Baccaro's baseball world came crashing down. The ace of the Colonial staff, while pitching against ECSU in the first conference weekend, had an arm injury that ended his season. After surgery in the summer, the 2008 season was a huge question mark. But wanting to be part of the team was too important, and maybe a few scattered innings by season's end, and a few pinch hits could help the team.

When senior first baseman Matt Perper went down with a broken thumb the first game back up north, a big hole was left in the middle of the WestConn line up. On April 13th, game #2 of a very important LEC double header with Plymouth State, Dan Baccaro was penciled in that spot as the DH. 3 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBIs, and 5 more hits in the next two games, and the hole was filled. The Colonials went on to win six in a row, and Dan Baccaro has not stopped hitting since. At the regular season's end, Dan is hitting (.389), with (28) hits, (3) doubles, (4) homers and (27) RBIs. He has given three hitter Matt Gardiner the protection he lost when Perper went down, and then some.

Then there is freshman brother Michael, who was the DH before Dan. He has since moved out for big brother, and gone to first base along with John DiGiovanni to fill Perper's defensive void. Michael is hitting (.312) with (24) hits, (7) doubles and (18) RBIs. Add DiGiovanni's (20) hits, (7) doubles, and (17) RBIs, and the Colonials have (44) hits, (14) doubles and (35) RBI's from the spot. Michael has also appeared in four games out of the Colonial bullpen, a role we will see more from him in 2009. Dan continues to rehab and throw, and WestConn is looking forward to seeing him back on the mound in 2009. With the way he is swinging the bat, it doesn't look like a DH will be needed on those days.

Dan and Michael come from one of the states top high school programs, Berlin High. Dad Bill was the longtime Head Coach at Farmington High, and still coaches summer ball. The Colonials middle of their line up looks pretty secure for the next few years, add their arms into the mix, and Dan and Mike will have a lot to say about how successfull WestConn will be in the coming years.

HUSKIES SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER FROM COLONIALS,
BUT WESTCONN GETS IN LEC TOURNAMENT

GORHAM, Maine -- Rookie right-hander Nick Hahn (Guilford, Conn.) picked up two wins and the University of Southern Maine came from behind in both games to sweep Western Connecticut State University, 12-10 and 9-5, in a Little East Conference baseball doubleheader on a rainy Saturday afternoon at the USM Baseball Stadium. The second game was called after seven-and-a-half innings because of darkness.

The sweep extends the Huskies’ current winning streak to six games, and lifts their records to 29-10 overall and 11-3 in conference play.

The Colonials slip to 17-23 overall and 4-10 in the LEC. Both teams will advance to next week’s six-team, double-elimination LEC championship tournament that starts Wednesday at a site to be determined.

Hahn came on in the opening game to pitch 2.1 innings giving up one run on three hits and two walks. He picked up the win when the Huskies snapped a 9-9 tie in the eighth with three runs. In the nightcap, Hahn came on in the sixth inning and hurled 3.0 shutout innings allowing two hits and two walks while fanning two. USM plated four runs in the seventh inning to break a 5-5 tie.

In the opening game, Southern Maine squandered 5-0 and 8-5 leads to fall behind 9-8 when Western Connecticut scored four runs in the sixth inning. Sophomore Dan Baccaro (Berlin, Conn.) chased home the first run with an RBI single. Junior Ryan Bedard (Uncasville, Conn.) brought in the second Colonial run with a single. Two batters later, freshman Zack Dandrea (Wanaque, N.J.) stroked a two-out, two-run single to give the visitors a 9-8 lead.

Southern Maine tied the game on a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior Chris Burleson (Portland, Maine/Deering) in the sixth. USM scored three in the eighth on a two-run triple by junior Ryan Pike (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) and a n RBI single by Burleson.

Each team had 17 hits in the opening game that took 3:44 to play due to numerous stoppages to tend the field. Freshman Mike Baccaro (Berlin, Conn.) led the Colonials with four hits, and Dan Baccaro had three hits, including a pair of doubles. Freshman Jeff Gordon (Milford, Conn.) also had three hits. Pike, freshman Jordan Berthiaume (Berlin, Conn.) and junior Anthony D’Alfonso (Westbrook, Maine) had three hits apiece for Southern Maine.

In the second game, Western Connecticut built a 3-0 lead with single runs in the first, third and fourth innings. The run in the third came on a long home run to left field by senior Matt Gardiner (Terryville, Conn.), his eighth homer of the season. Dan Baccaro had an RBI single in the first.

The Huskies scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by sophomore Collin Henry (Penobscot, Maine/George Stevens Academy), an RBI single by senior Eddie Skeffington (Everett, Mass.) and a two-run single by junior Ryan Gaffney (Salem, N.H./Central Catholic). The fifth run scored on a wild pitch.

Western Connecticut tied the score din the sixth on a bases loaded walk to sophomore Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, Conn./Ledyard) and an RBI single by junior Nick Ross (Oakdale, Conn./Montville).

With darkness encroaching, USM scored four, all with two outs, in the seventh to take a 9-5 lead. Junior Andrew Stacy (Denmark,

Maine/Fryeburg Academy) snapped the tie with an RBI double that scored Burleson. Henry followed with an RBI single. Skeffington drove in the third run, and the final run came in on an infield throwing error.

After three infield pop outs in the WC eighth, the umpires called the game.

Stacy had three hits to pace USM’s 13-hit attack. Burleson, Henry and Skeffington chipped in two hits each. Gardiner had a double and a homer for the Colonials. Sophomore southpaw Joe Mangano (Stamford, Conn.) went 6.2 innings and was saddled with the loss.

U. of Southern Maine 12, Western Connecticut 10 (May 03, 2008 at Gorham, Maine) (Game 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 003 024 001  - 10 17  2      (17-22, 4-9)
U. of Southern Maine 050 031 03X  - 12 17  2      (28-10, 10-3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Steve Bainer; Miles Scribner(5); Josh Murray(8). 
U. of Southern Maine - Curran; deBethune(6); Hahn(7). 
Win-Hahn(3-0)  Loss-Miles Scribner(2-5)  T-3:44  A-75



U. of Southern Maine 9, Western Connecticut 5 (May 03, 2008 at Gorham, Maine) (Game 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 101 102 00 - 5 9 1 (17-23, 4-10)
U. of Southern Maine 000 500 4X - 9 13 2 (29-10, 11-3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Joe Mangano; Joe Postemsky(7). U. of Southern Maine - 
Fessenden; deBethune(4); Hahn(6). 
Win-Hahn(4-0) Loss-Joe Mangano(2-3) T-2:41 A-0
HR WCSU - Matt Gardiner (8).

Dan Amarante Slams Lehman in the Nightcap of a WestConn Sweep

Danbury, CT (May 1) — Sophomore second baseman Dan Amarante (Cheshire, CT) picked a good time to hit his first collegiate home run. With the Colonials down 6-3 in the sixth inning, Amarante, who admitted after the game that he could not remember ever clearing a fence for a home run, pounded a grand slam home run just inside the left field fair pole and helped lift the Western Connecticut State University baseball team to an 8-6 victory in the nightcap of its doubleheader against Lehman College. It captured the opener at Westside Field, 9-3 and are now 17-21 on the season.

In the opener, Matt Gardiner (Terryville, CT) had an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning to get the scoring started. Dan Baccaro (Berlin, CT) drove a run across with a sacrifice fly and Ryan Koschmieder (Groton, CT) drove Gardiner in with a single up the middle and the Colonials led 3-0 after one inning.

Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry) belted his fourth home run of the season, this one just inside the left-field fair pole, in the second inning. One batter later, Gardiner deposited his sixth home run of the season, deep over the wall in left center field. McNeil finished the twinbill by going 5-for-8 with five runs scored.

Lehman got on the scoreboard in the fourth when Gilbert Garcia scored an unearned run on an infield ground out by Amadoernesto Guzman.

Dan Baccaro added a two-RBI single in the fourth and the Colonials built their lead to, 7-1. In the sixth, he continued his hot bat by wrapping his fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot, over the fence in left field. In the opener, Dan Baccaro went 2-for-3 with five RBI and a run scored.

Billy Armstrong (Moodus, CT) went six innings and collected the win to improve to 4-3 on the season. He allowed the one unearned run on six hits while striking out six and walking three. Bryan Foglestrom (Newtown, CT) pitched the seventh inning for WestConn. He allowed two harmless runs in the final frame.

Emmanuel Vera started the game for the Lightning but left the game before the start of the fourth inning with an injury. In three innings, he allowed five runs on seven hits and struck out three.

In the nightcap, the Lightning got on the scoreboard in the top of the first when Luis Alicea and Garcia hit back-to-back one-out doubles.

The Colonials drew even, in the bottom half of the inning, when Koschmieder had a run scoring single to plate Gardiner. Three innings later, they took a short-lived 2-1 lead on an RBI single from John DiGiovanni (Waterbury, CT).

Lehman took the lead in the top fifth inning on back-to-back run-scoring singles by Alicea and Garcia.

Gardiner evened the game at 3-3 with his second home run on the night and his team-leading seventh of the season, in the bottom of the fifth.

Jeff Hancock (Oakdale, CT) went five strong innings for the Colonials but did not factor in the decision. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out five and walking two.

Josh Murray (Colchester, CT) came on in relief of Hancock. After striking out the first two batters, looking, Murray loaded the bases on an infield single and back-to-back walks to the eight and nine hitters. Joe Postemsky (Windham, CT) was summoned to the hill. He initially did not fare much better, walking Jhonny Reyes to give the Lightning a 4-3 advantage. Alicea then laced a two-run single through the left side, to give the visitors a 6-3 lead.

Postemsky battled back and earned the victory with a scoreless seventh and is now 2-1 on the year.

Adam Kolinoski, 2-3, started the nightcap for Lehman and was cruising along until the sixth when, after one out he loaded the bases and yielded the grand slam home run to Amarante.

The Colonials close out the regular season with a doubleheader at University of Southern Maine on Saturday. First pitch is at 12 noon.

GAME NOTES: In the second game, Ryan Dilts (North Plainfield, NJ) threw one pitch to start the game then was replaced by Jeff Hancock. Dilts, along with Gardiner, Hancock and Matt Perper, all seniors, were making their final appearance at Westside Field. Dilts has been hampered by injuries of late.

Western Connecticut 9, Lehman 3 (May 01, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 1)

Lehman.............. 000 100 2 -  3  8  2      (16-12)
Western Connecticut. 320 202 X -  9 12  2      (16-21)
Pitchers: Lehman - Emmanuel Vera; Jose Garrido(4). Western Connecticut - Bill Armstrong; 
Bryan Fogelstrom(7).  Win-Bill Armstrong(4-3)  Loss-Emmanuel Vera(6-3) 
HR WC - Sam McNeil (4); Matt Gardiner (6); Dan Baccaro (4).

Western Connecticut 8, Lehman 6 (May 01, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 2)

Lehman.............. 100 023 0 -  6  8  4      (16-13)
Western Connecticut. 100 115 X -  8 10  1      (17-21)
Pitchers: Lehman - Adam Kolinoski. Western Connecticut - Ryan Dilts; Jeff Hancock(1); 
Josh Murray(6); Joe Postemsky(6). Win-Joe Postemsky(2-1)  Loss-Adam Kolinoski(2-3) 
HR WC - Matt Gardiner (7); Dan Amarante (1).

First Inning Walks Doom WestConn In 17-5 Loss To Manhattanville

Danbury, CT (Apr. 30) — For the second game in a row Western Connecticut State Univeristy’s starting pitcher couldn’t complete the first inning, allowing two hits, five walks, and six runs while only recording two outs as the Colonials fell to visiting Manhattanville College 17-5 Wednesday evening at Westside Field.

By the time Manhattanville College had finished batting in the top of the first inning, it had scored more runs than WestConn would score in nine innings. Leading off the game with back to back walks, the visiting Valiants scored six runs on only two hits and were aided by two WestConn errors while sending 11 batters to the plate in the first inning. Josh Vaghi (Bethel, CT) started for the Colonials, but was replaced after facing nine batters and recording only two outs.

Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry) led off the first inning for the Colonials with a blast over the fence in left-center field and finished with two hits and two RBI’s, but Manhattanville’s pitching never allowed WestConn to mount a comeback.

In the third inning, Manhattanville had two on with one out when lead-off hitter Thomas Verrengia (Staten Island, NY) hit a double deep to the gap in right-center field. WestConn center fielder John Callahan (Shelton, CT) rifled the ball back to the infield where Zack Dandrea (Wanaque, NJ) cut down Manhattanville’s Frank Furbacher (Lord’s Valley, PA) at home as he attempted to score from first on the play. Two batters later the inning was over and the damage was limited to two runs.

The Colonials responded with two runs in the bottom of the third on back to back hits by Nick Ross (Oakdale, CT) and Matt Gardiner (Terryville, CT), a sacrifice fly by Pat Kantor (Southbury, CT), and a line-drive single to left by Rob Bedard (Uncasville, CT), but Manhattanville scored a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to push their lead to 13-3.

The Colonials scored single runs in the fifth and eighth innings, but couldn’t put together a rally that threatened the Valiants. In the seventh, Manhattanville added four insurance runs on four hits and a walk.

Justin Gray (Wappingers Falls, NY) pitched three strong innings for Manhattanville to record is third win of the season while Vaghi falls to 0-2 for the Colonials.

With this evening’s victory, Manhattanville’s season record now stands at 26-11. The Colonials fall to 15-21.

WestConn’s final home games of the season will be played on Thuradsay, May 1st, when it hosts Lehman College for an evening double-header. First pitch is slated for 4:00pm.

Manhattanville 17, Western Connecticut 5 (Apr 30, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.)
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Manhattanville...... 602 230 400  - 17 18  0      (26-11)
Western Connecticut. 102 010 010  -  5 13  3      (15-21)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Manhattanville - Tim Quinn; Brendan Murnane(2); Joe Donnelly(3);
Justin Gray(4); Matt Musumeci(7); John Kain(9).
Western Connecticut - Josh Vaghi; Mike Baccaro(1); David Alarcon(5);
Miles Scribner(7); Josh Murray(8); Joe Postemsky(9). 
Win-Justin Gray(3-1)  Loss-Josh Vaghi(0-2)  T-2:55  A-50
HR WCSUBB - Sam McNeil.

Little East Conference
Rookie of the Week

Billy Armstrong (Moodus, Conn.)
Freshman
Pitcher
Western Connecticut State University

Armstrong led Western Connecticut State University to its lone victory of the week, defeating Little East Conference foe Plymouth State, 12-4, on April 13. The freshman from Moodus, Conn. threw eight innings to earn his second win of the season, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out eight and walking two. Armstrong retired the Panthers in order four times, including setting down nine of the first 10 batters he faced.

Eastern Connecticut Beats In-State Rival WestConn, 10-2

Danbury, CT (Apr. 27) — Eastern Connecticut scored five runs in the first inning, sending nine batters to the plate, and WestConn starting pitcher, sophomore Miles Scribner (Washington, CT), didn’t make it out of the first inning as Eastern beat WestConn 10-2 in Little East Conference baseball action at Westside field Sunday afternoon.

Eastern Connecticut took advantage of a single and two hit batsmen to load the bases in the first inning with no outs, but when the Warriors’ designated hitter, Andrew Dewing (Swampscott, MA), grounded into a double play (pitcher to catcher to first) it looked like the Colonials might escape the first inning without allowing any runs. After Scribner allowed three hits and a walk to the next four Eastern batters his day was over and Eastern Connecticut took a 5-0 lead.

Those five first-inning runs would prove more than enough for Eastern’s starting pitcher Joe Esposito (East Haven, CT) who kept the Coloinals’ bats quite all afternoon, including a stretch where he retired 15 WestConn batters in a row. Single runs in the third and eighth innings by the Colonials did little to change the momentum and Eastern cruised to a 10-2 victory.

For the Colonials, sophomore pitcher Steve Bainer (Prospect, CT), was sharp for three innings recording the final out of the first and nine of the next ten batters he faced. In the top of the fifth however, Eastern’s Jon Dalton (Standish, ME) crushed the first pitch deep over the fence in left field and Mevlin Castillo (Danbury, Ct) just missed clearing the fence in left with the inning’s second pitch, settling for a double. When Dewing drove Castillo in from second with another hard shot to left Bainer gave way to freshman Josh Murray (Colchester, CT) who retired the next three Warrior batters.

In the top of the seventh, Tristan Hobbes (Utica, NY) and Jim Schult (Wappingers Falls, NY) led off with back to back doubles, prompting another WestConn pitching change. Freshman David Alarcon (Plymouth, CT) escaped a bases-loaded jam when Colonial third baseman Jeff Gordon (Milford, CT) made an acrobatic catch on a foul pop-up to end the inning with only two runs scored.

Sophomore Joe Postemsky (Windham, CT) entered the game for the Colonials in the top of the eighth and retired all six batters he faced, but the damage had already been done.

Esposito pitch eight strong innings to earn his fourth win of the season for Eastern Connecticut, while Scribner takes the loss for the Colonials and is now 2-4 on the season.

With Sunday afternoon’s victory, Eastern Connecticut’s season record now stands at 24-11-1 (9-3 in the Little East conference), while WestConn falls to 15-20 (4-8 in the LEC).

WestConn hosts Manhattanville College in a non-conference game on Tuesday evening at Westside Field (weather permitting). First pitch is slated for 5:00pm

Eastern Connecticut 10, Western Connecticut 2 (Apr 27, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern Connecticut. 500 021 200 0 - 10 13  1      (24-11-1, 9-3 LEC)
Western Connecticut. 001 000 010 X -  2  6  1      (15-20, 4-8 LEC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Eastern Connecticut - Esposito; Montanari(9).
Western Connecticut - Miles Scribner; 
Steve Bainer(1); Josh Murray(5); David Alarcon(7); Joe Postemsky(8). 
Win-Esposito(1-0)  Loss-Miles Scribner(2-4)

HR ECSUBB - Dalton.
S. Bainer faced 3 batters in the 5th.
J. Murray faced 2 batters in the 7th.

Anchormen Split With Colonials

From the desk of Scott Gibbons, RIC Sports Information Director

Providence, RI (Apr. 26) — Rhode Island College split a doubleheader with Western Connecticut on Saturday afternoon at Anchorman Field in Little East Conference baseball action. The Anchormen took game one, 6-3, behind a strong pitching effort from senior Eric Thibault (Somerset, MA). WestConn sophomore Joe Mangano (Stamford, CT) hurled a complete game to lead the Colonials to a 7-4 victory in the nightcap.

RIC (23-11, 8-4) built a 6-0 lead for Thibault in game one, using a four-run third inning to build the advantage. Sophomore left fielder Jared Rossi (Johnston, RI) and junior third baseman Jeff Costa (Pawtucket, RI) contributed RBI-singles, while junior catcher Jordan Amorin (Swansea, MA) plated one with a sacrifice fly.

WestConn (15-19, 4-7) plated one run in the seventh, then sophomore designated hitter Dan Baccaro (Berlin, CT) and freshman first baseman Mike Baccaro (Berlin, CT) each knocked in a run in the ninth to account for the Colonials offense.

Thibault went 8.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits, while striking out seven, as he raises his record to 6-2. Sophomore Bobby Venditto (Cranston, RI) came one to get the final out and pick up his first save. Western Connecticut freshman Bill Armstrong (Moodus, CT) took the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits, while striking out three, in 5.0 innings of work.

The Colonials capitalized on Anchormen errors in both the first and second frames to take a commanding, 7-1, lead in the nightcap. WestConn scored on a throwing error and a wild pitch, then sophomore designated hitter John DiGiovanni (Waterbury, CT) cleared the bases with a three-run double off RIC freshman starter Gary Levesque (East Providence, RI). Western Connecticut added two in the second frame, highlighted by senior catcher Matt Gardiner’s (Terryville, CT) sacrifice fly.

The Anchormen chipped away at the deficit, plating one in the first on a junior right fielder Chris O’Connors (North Kingstown, RI) RBI single, then two more in the third on senior designated hitter Rob Reyes’ (Providence, RI) two-run double. Junior shortstop Josh Cardoso (Dartmouth, MA) plated another in the bottom of the ninth, but Mangano got the final out with two on and two out to end the contest.

Mangano went the distance to earn his second win (2-2), allowing four runs on seven hits, while striking out seven. Levesque took the loss (1-3). WestConn sophomore shortstop Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, CT) and junior left fielder Nick Ross (Oakdale, CT) paced the attack from the top of the order, going a combined 5-for-10 with four runs scored.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Wheaton on Tuesday, Apr. 29, while WestConn will host Eastern Connecticut on Sunday, Apr. 27, at 3:30pm.

Rhode Island College 6, Western Connecticut 3 (Apr 26, 2008 at Providence, R.I.) (Game 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 000 000 102  -  3  4  1      (14-19, 3-7)
Rhode Island College 014 100 00X  -  6 10  1      (23-10, 8-3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Bill Armstrong; Jeff Hancock(6).
Rhode Island College - Thibault; Venditto(9). 
Win-Thibault(6-2)  Save-Venditto(1)  Loss-Bill Armstrong(3-3)  T-2:30  A-200


Western Connecticut 7, Rhode Island College 4 (Apr 26, 2008 at Providence, R.I.) (Game 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 520 000 000  -  7 11  4      (15-19, 4-7 LEC)
Rhode Island College 102 000 001  -  4  7  3      (23-11, 8-4 LEC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Joe Mangano. Rhode Island College - Levesque; Vatter(2); 
Gelsomino(6); Venditto(7); Fama(8). 
Win-Joe Mangano(2-2)  Loss-Levesque(1-3)  T-2:35  A-200
Vatter faced 3 batters in the 6th.

WESTCONN POUNDS OUT 30 HITS BUT SPLITS
DOUBLEHEADER WITH ST. JOSEPH OF LONG ISLAND

PATCHOGUE, NY - (April 24) - The Western Connecticut State University baseball team pounded out 30 hits and came away with a doubleheader split at St. Joseph College on Long Island Thursday afternoon. The Colonials cruised to an 11-1 victory in the opener before dropping the nightcap, 14-9 to the Golden Eagles.

In the opener, WestConn had 18 total hits including a two-run home run by Dan Baccaro in its three-run fourth. Dan Baccaro went 2-for-4 with three RBI in the victory. Nick Ross went 4-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. He went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in the loss.

Steve Bainer collected his second straight victory and is now 2-3 on the season. He went six innings, allowed nine hits and one run while striking out five.

Senior Matt Gardiner began a stellar afternoon by going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in the first game. He continued peppering the ball and went 3-for-3 with another RBI and four runs scored in the nightcap. Gardiner connected for his team-leading fifth home run in the loss.

Ryan Koschmieder went 2-for3 with a team-high four RBI in the nightcap.

David Alarcon suffered the loss after only going 2/3 of an inning. He allowed five runs on four hits and struck out one and is now 0-1 on the season.

WestConn, 14-18, travels to Rhode Island College this Saturday for a Little East Conference doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 12 noon.

Western Connecticut 11, St. Joseph's-LI 1 (Apr 24, 2008 at Patchogue, NY) (Game 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 102 332 0 - 11 18  0
St. Joseph's-LI..... 000 001 0 -  1 10  0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Steve Bainer; Bryan Fogelstrom(7). 
St. Joseph's-LI - Nizinski; Annunziata(5); Popielarski(7). 
Win-Steve Bainer  Loss-Nizinski  T-  A-0
HR WCSU - Dan Baccaro.


St. Joseph's-LI 14, Western Connecticut 9 (Apr 24, 2008 at Patchogue, NY) (Game 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 410 202 0 - 9 12 2
St. Joseph's-LI..... 302 450 X - 14 17 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Miles Scribner; David Alarcon(4); Mike Baccaro(5). 
St. Joseph's-LI - D'Esposito; Okerblom(1); Welsh(5). 
Win-Welsh Loss-David Alarcon T- A-0
HR WCSU - Matt Gardiner.   HR SJC - Gerdes; Dipresso; Keckley.

WESTCONN BASEBALL EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO FIVE WITH SWEEP OF CORSAIRS

DANBURY, CT – (April 19) – The Western Connecticut State University baseball team swept a doubleheader from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 10-8 and 15-1 at Westside Field Saturday afternoon. The two Little East Conference victories extend its win streak to five games overall and three in the league. It is now 13-17 overall and 3-6 in the league.

In the opener, Dan Baccaro (Berlin, CT) had an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning to give WestConn an early lead. Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, CT), came in to score the Colonials first run after he led off with a walk.

John DiGiovanni (Waterbury, CT) drove Zach Dandrea (Wanaque, NJ) in with a single an inning later for a 2-0 cushion. Dandrea laced a double down the left field line with two outs in the second.

Two innings later, Mike Baccaro (Berlin, CT) hit a double down the left field line to score Ryan Koshmieder (Groton, CT) and McNeil had a two-RBI single to right center to give the Colonials a 5-0 advantage. Three batters later, Dan Baccaro lined a shot through the infield for two more runs, plating McNeil and Nick Ross (Oakdale, CT).

Mike Baccaro paced the WestConn offense by going 3-for-4 with an RBI and one runs scored.

The Corsairs got on the scoreboard with four unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jeff Macchi (Franklin, CT) drove in a pair of runs with a double to the left field corner then Dylan Zygmont (Swansea, MA) hit his team-leading fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot, deep over the left field wall.

Joe Mangano (Stamford, CT) could not get out of the fifth inning before four unearned runs crossed the plate. David Alarcon (Windham, CT) came on and induced Dave McQuire (Plainville, MA) to ground out to end the Corsairs’ rally. Mangano allowed seven hits, struck out four and walked two.

UMass Dartmouth tacked on another run in the sixth when Ryan McDermott (Pembroke, MA) singled to score Tom LaDore (Milford, CT) who led off the frame with a walk.

The Colonials came right back with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Gardiner singled in Ross with his team-leading 28^th RBI of the season.

UMass Dartmouth drew within a run with a pair of unearned runs in the seventh. LaDore reached base when Ross lost his fly ball in the sun. WestConn’s short stop, McNeil threw the relay throw away allowing Chris Benevides (Fall River, MA) and McGuire to score.

Benevides went 4-for-4 and scored a pair of runs in the opener.

DiGiovanni had an RBI single, on a perfectly executed hit-and-run, to give WestConn a 9-7 lead after seven innings.

WestConn added an insurance run in the eighth when Pat Kantor (Southbury, CT) hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Dan Amarante (Cheshire, CT) who ran for Ross.

Miles Scribner (Washington, CT),who took over for Alarcon after 2/3 of an inning, collected the victory after going 2 2/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and striking out five. He is now 2-3 on the year.

Joe Postemsky (Windham, CT) walked in a run in the ninth before yielding to Josh Murray (Colchester, CT). Murray earned his first save of the season after getting the final out.

In game two, Matt Gardiner (Terryville, CT) continued his hot bat with a three-run home run deep over the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning. It was his fourth home run of the season. With the bases jammed, DiGiovanni added a bases-clearing double to give WestConn a 6-0 lead right out of the blocks.

WestConn added four runs in the second, including a two-run home run off the bat of Dandrea on the first pitch from reliever Nial Mitchell (West Roxbury, MA). Mitchell came on for McGuire who was ineffective after allowing nine runs on eight hits over 1 2/3 innings.

Five runs off reliever Tom Lucia (North Attleboro, MA) in the sixth closed out the scoring for the Colonials.

Billy Armstrong (Moodus, CT) last week’s Little East Conference Rookie of the Week, went six strong innings and improves to 3-2 on the season. He allowed three hits, struck out four and walked just two. Josh Vaghi (Bethel, CT) threw the seventh inning for the Colonials.

McGuire took the loss and is now 0-2 on the season for the Corsairs.

UMass Dartmouth, 3-23 overall and 1-7, got on the scoreboard in the seventh when Eric Rodriguez (Burlington, MA) drove in McDonough with a single just inside the left field line.

WestConn travels to St. Joseph College on Long Island for a non-league doubleheader this Thursday.  First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

Western Connecticut 10, UMass Darmouth 8 (Apr 19, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 1)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Darmouth...... 000 041 201  -  8 14  1      (3-22, 1-6 LEC)

Western Connecticut. 110 501 11X  - 10 12  2      (12-17, 2-6 LEC)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pitchers: UMass Darmouth - Adam Gustafson; Tyler Noyes(5); Shane Campbell(7).

Western Connecticut - Joe Mangano; David Alarcon(5); Miles Scribner(6); Joe Postemsky(9);

Josh Murray(9).

Win-Miles Scribner(2-3)  Save-Josh Murray(1)  Loss-Adam Gustafson(0-5)  T-2:46  A-50

HR UMD - Dylan Zygmont (5).

Western Connecticut 15, UMass Darmouth 1 (Apr 19, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 2)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Darmouth...... 000 000 1 -  1  5  4      (3-23, 1-7 LEC)

Western Connecticut. 640 005 X - 15 14  1      (13-17, 3-6 LEC)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pitchers: UMass Darmouth - Dave McGuire; Nial Mitchell(2); Tom Lucia(5). Western Connecticut -

Bill Armstrong; Josh Vaghi(7).

Win-Bill Armstrong(3-2)  Loss-Dave McGuire(0-2)  T-2:02  A-50

HR WCSU - Matt Gardiner (4); Zack Dandrea (4).

WESTCONN BASEBALL SWEEPS TWINBILL FROM ALBERTUS MAGNUS

DANBURY, CT – (April 16) – The Western Connecticut State University baseball team swept a doubleheader from Albertus Magnus College, 12-7 and 12-1 at Westside Field Wednesday night.

In the opener, Jeff Hancock (Oakdale, CT) improved to 1-1 on the season after going 2-2/3 innings and shutting down the Falcons. The visitors took a 6-1 lead in the third inning off WestConn starter Alex Zancan (Danbury, CT) before Hancock was summoned to the bump. Hancock allowed two hits, struck out one and walked two before yielding to Josh Murray (Colchester, CT) for the sixth inning. Joe Postemsky (Windham, CT) threw a scoreless seventh for the Colonials.

Dab Baccaro (Berlin, CT) went 3-for-3 in the opener with three RBI. Zach Dandrea (Wanaque, NJ) went 2-for-2 and scored three runs. Matt Gardiner (Terryville, CT) went 1-for2, scored three runs and was a perfect 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts.

For Albertus Magnus, Chris Noske (South Windsor, CT) led the offense with four hits in four at bats. He drove in three runs with a pair of doubles. J. R. Bagley (Middletown, CT) went 3-for4, drove in a run and score two runs.

In the nightcap, Gardiner belted a two-run home run deep over the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning. It was his third home run of the season.

Two innings later, Gardiner put the Colonials up 3-0 with an RBI double down the left-field line. Jeff Gordon (Milford. CT) added an RBI single, plating Dan Baccaro (Berlin, CT) who reached base after being hit by a pitch.

Leading 4-1 in the sixth, WestConn added eight runs off a host of Albertus Magnus reserves. Two hits and five walks highlighted the Colonials offensive explosion in the frame.

Steve Bainer (Prosepct, CT) picked up his first victory of the season and is now 1-3. He went six innings and allowed one run on six hits while striking out five and walking two. Bainer pitched out a bases-loaded jam in the sixth. After allowing a run by hitting Camaron Giordano (Hamden, CT) with the sacks full, he settled down and struck out Brandon Fleming (New Haven, CT) on three pitches to end the threat.

Matt Josefs (Newington, CT) finished up the seventh for WestConn.

Luis Rosario (New Haven, CT) took the loss for the Falcons and is now 0-2. He allowed four runs on four hits over four innings of work. He struck out five and walked two.

WestConn, 11-17, host University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in a Little East Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 19. First pitch is slated for 12 noon.

Western Connecticut 12, Albertus Magnus 7 (Apr 16, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Albertus Magnus..... 015 001 0 -  7 14  2      (9-18)
Western Connecticut. 103 242 X - 12 13  1      (10-17)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Albertus Magnus - Matt Baker; Brendan Hickey(5); Brandon Fleming(5); 
Craig Emmons(5); Anthony Zumstag(6). Western Connecticut - Alex Zancan; Jeff Hancock(3); 
Josh Murray(6); Joe Postemsky(7). 
Win-Jeff Hancock(1-1)  Loss-Brendan Hickey(0-1)  T-2:30  A-50
B. Hickey faced 2 batters in the 5th.


Western Connecticut 12, Albertus Magnus 1 (Apr 16, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Albertus Magnus..... 000 001 0 - 1 6 2 (9-19)
Western Connecticut. 202 008 X - 12 8 2 (11-17)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Albertus Magnus - Luis Rosario; Adam Platner(5); John Stavola(6); 
Stephen Harding(6); Pat Macoy(6). Western Connecticut - Steve Bainer; Matt Josefs(7). 
Win-Steve Bainer(1-3) Loss-Luis Rosario(0-2) T-2:12 A-50
HR WCSUBB - Matt Gardiner (3).
J. Stavola faced 5 batters in the 6th.
S. Harding faced 2 batters in the 6th.

WestConn Splits Doubleheader With LEC Rival Plymouth State

DANBURY, CT (Apr. 13th) – Plymouth State’s Chip Hale (Londonderry, NH) and Western Connecticut State University freshman Billy Armstrong (Moodus, CT) both had strong pitching performances as the Panthers and Colonials split a doubleheader at Westside Field Sunday afternoon.

In game one, Hale recorded eight strikeouts, no walks, and allowed only two earned runs in a complete-game effort. Hale set the Colonials down in order four different times, including one stretch where 12 Colonials were retired in order.

Both teams scored in their half of the second inning, but the big blow came off the bat of Plymouth’s Nick Englert (North Woodstock, NH) who hit a shot over the left-field fence with two outs and the bases loaded.
Jim VanGyzen (Glocester, RI) connected for a solo home run in the fourth for the Panthers, followed by a single run in the fifth and two more in the eighth. After a rocky third inning in which he hit a batter and gave up a double and a triple, Hale wasn’t challenged by the Colonial hitters until the ninth and closed out the game with a strikeout to earn his second victory of the season.

In game two, Armstrong struck out eight Plymouth State batters, gave up two walks, and allowed only two earned runs in eight innings of work. Four times he got the Panther batters out in order, included nine of the first ten batters he faced.

After a quite first inning offensively for both teams in game two, WestConn scored in the second, third, and fourth innings to take a commanding 7-2 lead. The big hit for the Colonials came in the fourth inning when senior Matt Gardiner (Terryville, CT) hit a ball deep over the fence in right field with the bases loaded and two outs. In his next at bat, Gardner cleared the fence in left-center for a two-run homer extending the WestConn lead to 9-2. Sophomore Dan Baccaro (Berlin, CT) added some insurance for the Colonials with a solo shot in the seventh (his second home run of the game), and when both teams scored twice in the ninth WestConn came away with a 12-4 win and a split on the day’s games.

With this afternoon’s doubleheader split WestConn’s record stands at 9-17 (3-6 in the Little East Conference), while Plymouth State’s record is now 6-16 (2-5 LEC).

WestConn hosts Albertus Magnus College for a double-header on Wednesday, April 16th. First pitch for game one is schedule for 4:00pm.

Plymouth State 8, Western Connecticut 4 (Apr 13, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 021 000 001  -  4  9  1      (8-17, 2-6 LEC)
Plymouth State...... 040 110 02X  -  8  7  2      (6-15, 2-4 LEC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Miles Scribner; David Alarcon(6); Josh Murray(7). 
Plymouth State - Chip Hale. 
Win-Chip Hale(2-1)  Loss-Miles Scribner(1-3)  T-2:25  A-50
HR PSU - Jim VanGyzen; Nick Englert.
M. Scribner faced 2 batters in the 6th.


Western Connecticut 12, Plymouth State 4 (Apr 13, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 021 402 102 - 12 11 1 (9-17, 3-6 LEC)
Plymouth State...... 000 200 002 - 4 7 3 (6-16, 2-5 LEC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Bill Armstrong; Joe Postemsky(9). Plymouth State - 
Taylor Ketchum; Chris Welch(5); Ryan Lavelle(7); Justin Flanagan(9). 
Win-Bill Armstrong(2-2) Loss-Taylor Ketchum(1-4) T-2:25 A-50
HR WCSU - Matt Gardiner 2; Dan Baccaro 2.

Keene State Pitching Holds WestConn Scoreless In Doubleheader Sweep

DANBURY, CT (Apr. 11th) – Jamie Morin (Goffstown, NH) pitched a complete-game shutout in game one for Keene State, while Phil Mabey (Williamstown, MA) and Rob Delbuono (Trumbull, CT) combined to shut out Western Connecticut State University in game two as the Owls swept a double header from the host Colonials at Westside Field Friday afternoon.

In game one, WestConn only managed to reach second base twice and never threatened to score as Morin recorded nine strikeouts and no walks. In six of the game’s nine innings, Morin set the Colonial’s down in order.

Keene State took the lead early in game one when lead-off hitter, Jeff Perkins (Dunbarton, NH), was hit by the game’s first pitch, stole second base, and then scored on a double by Anthony Cipolla (Glastonbury, CT).

The Owls scored two more runs in the third, but put the game out of reach with five runs in the seventh. The big hit of the inning came off the bat of Beau Darak who, with two outs and a 3-2 count, hit a grand-slam home run that cleared the left-field fence by 20 feet.

Keene State added an insurance run in the top of the eighth and Morin retired the Colonials in order in the ninth to secure the 9-0 victory.

In game two, WestConn put a runner on third base in three different innings, but couldn’t come up with a timely hit and stranded all three. WestConn’s best scoring chance came in the eighth inning when sophomore Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, CT) led off with a double down the left-field line and moved to third when Pat Kantor (Southbury, CT) grounded out to first. A strikeout and a grounder to third base stranded McNeil at third, keeping the Colonials scoreless for the afternoon.

Keene State scored three runs in the second inning to take the lead in game two when Ryan Jones (Nashua, NH) hit a triple deep over the head of WestConn’s center fielder, scoring Darak and Tyler DoPrato (Suffield, CT). Jones then scored on a sacrifice fly by Perkins giving the Owls a 3-0 lead. A single run in the forth, three in the sixth, and one more in the eighth were more than enough to secure the sweep for Keene State and an 8-0 victory in game two.

Morin’s complete game earned him the win in game one, while sophomore Joe Mangano (Stamford, CT) suffered the loss for WestConn. Game two’s victory was credited to Mabey who went seven innings, while junior Alex Zancan (Danbury, CT) went five innings to take the loss for the Colonials.

With this afternoon’s losses WestConn’s record stands at 8-16 (2-5 in the Little East Conference), while Keene State is now 17-4 (4-1 LEC).

WestConn hosts Little East Conference rival Plymouth State for a rescheduled afternoon double-header on Sunday, April 13th (weather permitting). First pitch for game one is schedule for 1:00pm


Game One:

Keene State 9, Western Connecticut 0 (Apr 11, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Keene State......... 102 000 510  -  9 15  2      (16-4)
Western Connecticut. 000 000 000  -  0  4  2      (8-15)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Keene State - Jamie Morin. Western Connecticut - Joe Mangano; Mike Baccaro(7); 
Bryan Fogelstrom(9). 
Win-Jamie Morin(1-0)  Loss-Joe Mangano(0-1)  T-2:35  A-50
HR KSCBB - Beau Darak.


Game Two:

Keene State 8, Western Connecticut 0 (Apr 11, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Keene State......... 030 103 010  -  8 12  0      (17-4)
Western Connecticut. 000 000 000  -  0  5  1      (8-16)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Keene State - Phil Mabey; Rob Delbuono(8). Western Connecticut - Alex Zancan; 
Josh Murray(6); Joe Postemsky(8); Josh Vaghi(9). 
Win-Phil Mabey(1-0)  Loss-Alex Zancan(0-1)  T-2:35  A-50
A. Zancan faced 3 batters in the 6th.

Mount St. Mary Edges WestConn, 10-7

NEWBURGH, NY (April 10) - Matt Gardiner, Dan Baccaro and Matt Inzitari each had two hits but the Western Connecticut State University baseball team dropped a 10-7 decision to Mount St. Mary College at Delano-Hitch Field Thursday night.
     Gardiner had a pair of doubles and drove in one run in the loss.
     The Colonials fall to 8-14 on the season with back-to-back Little East Conference doubleheaders scheduled against Keene State College and Plymouth State University on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
     Ryan Koschmieder drove in a pair of runs and five other Colonials knocked in a run apiece.
     Jeff Hancock, who came on in relief in the sixth inning was charged with the loss after yielding four hits and three runs to the four batters he faced. His record now stands at 0-1 on the season.
     Steve Bainer started for WestConn and gave up seven hits and seven runs, only three of them earned over 5 1/3 innings.
     Mount St. Mary improves to 7-14 on the season.

Mount Saint Mary 10, Western Connecticut 7 (Apr 10, 2008 at Newburgh, N.Y.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 011 221 000  -  7  9  1      (8-14)
Mount Saint Mary.... 010 009 00X  - 10 15  4      (7-14)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Steve Bainer; Jeff Hancock(6); David Alarcon(6); 
Joe Postemsky(8). Mount Saint Mary - Babcock; O'Connor(5); Smith(7); Berger(9). 
Win-O'Connor  Save-Berger(2)  Loss-Jeff Hancock  T-2:48

NO. 7 TRINITY BASEBALL MOVES TO 20-0 WITH WIN OVER WESTERN CONNECTICUT

Hartford, Conn. - Sophomore Jeremiah Bayer (Greenfield, Mass.) pitched six strong innings to lead the Trinity College Bantams to a 14-2 win over the visiting Western Connecticut State University Colonials to keep their undefeated record intact today at Campus Field. Trinity's 20-0 record is their best-ever start.

The offense racked up 13 hits and drew ten walks, and four different pitchers combined to allow just one earned run for the Bantams who are the No. 7 ranked Div. III team in the nation as of today. Trinity is just one of two teams in the top 25 that remain undefeated.

The Bantams wasted no time putting runs on the board against the Colonials as senior leadoff hitter Chandler Barnard (Lubbock, Tx.) walked and scored on an RBI groundout from sophomore Kent Graham (Longmeadow, Mass.) to open the game. Two batters later, senior Thomas DiBenedetto (Fort Myers, Fl.) hit Graham home with a groundout to put the Bantams up 2-0, a lead they would not let go of.

Bayer allowed just one earned run in six innings, striking out six and walking one, leaving the game with a 12-2 lead. The Colonials run came on an RBI double by senior Matt Gardiner (Terryville, Conn.) who had two hits in the game. Sophomore Vinny Ferraiuolo (Orlando, Fl.) reached base three times for Western Connecticut.

Bantam senior Matt Stafford (Plymouth, Mass.) hit a towering opposite field homerun to add to the Trinity lead in the fifth, and Graham followed that up later in the inning with a line drive shot over the centerfield wall for the team's 11th and 12th runs of the afternoon.

Junior Eric McGrath (Lynn, Mass.), first-year Andrew Janiga (Ellington, Conn.), and sophomore Jason Simoni (Old Saybrook, Conn.) combined to shut down the Colonials in the final three innings, allowing no hits and striking out four.

Trinity v. Western Conn.

Teams			1  2  3	 4  5  6  7  8  9	R   H   E
Western Conn. (8-13)	0  0  1  0  1  0  0  0  0	2   4   0
Trinity, Conn. (20-0)	2  1  0  5  4  2  0  0  X	14  8   1

BATTERY
WC- Miles Schribner, Alex Zancan (3), Brandon Lagueux (4), Josh Vaghi (4), Matt Josefs (6), 
Josh Murray (8) and Rob Bedard 
TC- Jeremiah Bayer, Eric McGrath (7), Andrew Janiga (8), Jason Simoni (9) 
and Sean Killeen, Jacob Donnelly (7)
WP: Jeremiah Bayer (2-0)	LP:  Miles Schribner (1-2)

OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
WC- Matt Gardiner, 2-4, 2B, RBI, Vinny Ferraiuolo, 1-2, 2 walks, run
TC- Chandler Barnard, 1-1, 2B, 2 walks, RBI, 2 runs, SB, Matt Stafford 1-2, HR, 2 RBI, 
Kent Graham 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, Matt Sullivan 1-1, 2 walks, 3 runs, 2 SB

FONTAINE FANS 17 IN LITTLE EAST WIN OVER WESTERN CONNECTICUT
Strikeout total only two behind game record as Warriors post 5-0 conference victory

MANSFIELD, Conn. – Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Fontaine (Cranston, RI) equalled his season total with 17 strikeouts in throwing the first complete game and first shutout of his career as the Eastern Connecticut State University baseball team shut out Western Connecticut State University, 5-0, Saturday afternoon at the Eastern Baseball Stadium.

In the fifth start of the season and of his career, the 6-foot-3 inch, 230-pounder faced just four batters over the minimum by giving up two singles and a double and walking one. Fontaine (2-1) , who had 17 strikeouts in 24.1 innings over five appearances this year prior to Saturday, struck out every batter in the Western (8-12, 0-3 little east) lineup at least once. He fanned the top four hitters in the lineup a total of nine times. Fontaine threw 108 pitches and completed the shutout in exactly two hours.

Eastern (10-8-1) is ranked seventh in New England.

Fontaine enjoyed his longest career outing despite pitching on only three days rest. On Tuesday here, he pitched into the sixth inning of a 7-6 loss to Montclair State University. In that game, he allowed eight hits (four for extra bases) and four earned runs while striking out only two and walking one. After Saturday’s performance, Fontaine lowered his ERA from 5.92 to 4.32 and now has 34 strikeouts and only three walks in 33 1/3 innings.

“Coming off three days’ rest, everything felt good today,” said Fontaine afterward. “I found out (Friday) I’d be pitching on only three days’ rest, but I’d done it in the past and (pitching coach Ron Isler) had a great game plan. My slider and fastball… everything was working. After the first batter of the game swung at that first pitch, we knew they’d be free-swinging. (Coach Isler) called a great game. All the credit goes to him. He’s helped me out a lot this year.”

Of the other ten outs other than strikeouts, only three were recorded by outfielders as the Colonials managed to put runners in scoring position only three times in the game: on a one-out double in the second, back-to-back singles with two out in the fifth and a walk and ground ball in the seventh. Fontaine retired ten straight after Patrick Kantor’s double in the second, and ended the game by retiring the final eight batters – four on strikes. Fontaine did not give up another hit after Jeff Gordon and John DiGiovanni stroked back-to-back singles to center in the fifth inning of a scoreless game. He ended that fifth-inning threat with a swinging strikeout.

It marks the third-most strikeouts by a pitcher in Eastern history. Ryan DiPietro and John Caneira hold the record with 19 strikeouts, and four pitchers have struck out 18 in a game.

Fontaine struck out the side in the third and fourth innings and got a swinging strikeout to start the fifth to make it seven strikeouts in a row. He struck out at least two batters in six straight innings.

Fontaine and Western sophomore lefty Joe Mangano were locked in a scoreless duel through five innings before the Warriors broke through in the bottom of the sixth, chasing Mangano in the process. A sacrifice fly by freshman rightfielder Jim Schult (Wappingers Falls, NY) plated sophomore leftfielder John Parke (Middlefield) with the first run of the game. Parke singled to open the inning, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, and stole third.

Eastern tacked on four insurance runs in the seventh when they had three hits, a walk and hit-by-pitch. Parke’s sacrifice fly made it 2-0 and junior first baseman Tristan Hobbes (Utica, NY) and sophomore Mike Palo (Brookfield) drove in runs with hits, and a ground ball plated another. Palo drove in his first collegiate run with a two-out pinch RBI double.

Parke and senior third baseman Trey Bongiovanni (Meriden) each had two hits, with Parke extending his current hitting streak to 11 games – the most by an Eastern player this year.

at Mansfield, Conn.

Eastern Conn. 5, Western Conn. 0

Western Conn. (8-12, 0-3 little east)	000	000	000	--	0	3	1
Eastern Conn. (10-8-1, 2-1 little east)	000	001	40x	--	5	6	0

Joe Mangano (1-1), Josh Murray (6), Alex Zancan (7), Joe Postemski (8) and Rob Bedard. 
Matt Fontaine (2-1) and Andrew Magliola. 2B-Patrick Kantor (W), Mike Palo, Trey Bongiovanni (E).

Seven Run Eighth Lifts WestConn Over Purchase, 16-9

DANBURY, CT (Apr. 3rd) – With the score tied 9-9 in the eighth inning, freshman Josh Murray (Colchester, CT) struck out four of the last six batters to earn the win, and the offense produced seven runs in the bottom of the eighth as the Western Connecticut State University baseball team defeated Purchase College, 16-9 at Westside Field Thursday evening. Murray, who entered the game with two runners on base and no outs in the eighth inning, retired the next three Purchase batters without allowing a run, and then retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his first win as a Colonial.

WestConn put runs on the board first when they scored five times in the bottom of the second. The key hit came off the bat of freshman Zack Dandrea (Wanaque, NJ) who hit a two-run homer over the fence in left field.

Purchase answered with two runs in the top of the third inning, but WestConn added another run in the bottom of the inning to extend the lead to 6-2.

In the fourth, five of the first six Purchase batters scored and the Panthers took their first lead of the game, 7-6. WestConn answered again in the bottom of the inning when junior Nick Ross (Oakdale, CT) singled home sophomore Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, CT) to tie the game at seven.

Purchased reclaimed the lead with single runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings, but WestConn again answered with two in the bottom of the seventh when freshman Mike Baccaro (Berlin, CT) singled home McNeil and senior Mike Gardiner (Terryville, CT) to tie the game at 9-9.

In the seventh inning, Purchase stranded two runners on base and WestConn three, but neither team managed to score.

In the top of the eight, singles by Michael Shea (Cortlandt Manor, NY) and Austin Groves (Stratford, CT), put two men on with no outs for Purchase. A double steal moved the runners to second and third, but two strikeouts and a pop up to the shortstop ended the Panther threat.

Junior Pat Kantor (Southbury, CT), started the Colonials’ half of the eighth with a double to right field that just missed clearing the fence. Mike Baccaro hit a shot to left that scored Kantor from second for the game-winning run. Sophomore Vinnie Farraiulo (Orlando, FL) and Mike Gardiner also hit doubles to drive in runs and WestConn sent 11 batters to the plate to take a commanding 16-9 lead.

Murray closed out the win for the Colonials in the top of the ninth when the first two Purchase batters struck out looking and the final batter flied out to right.

With this evening’s victory WestConn’s record stands at 8-11, while Purchase College falls to 4-15.
WestConn hosts Little East Conference rival Keene State for an afternoon double-header on Saturday, April 5th (weather permitting). First pitch for game one is schedule for 12:00pm.


Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
Purchase College.... 002 511 000 -  9 11  3
Western Connecticut. 051 102 07X - 16 18  3
-------------------------------------------
Win - J. Murray (1-1).  Loss - Giaramita (0-1).

Westfield State 10 – Western Connecticut 2
from the desk of Mickey Curtis - WSC

WESTFIELD, Mass. (April 2) – Westfield State overcame a 2-0 sixth-inning deficit to defeat Western Connecticut State University, 10-2, in a non-conference baseball game on Wednesday, April 2.

The Owls improved to 9-6 while the Colonials dropped to 7-11.

Westfield tied the score in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run homer by junior catcher Adam Franke (Monson).

The Owls scrapped for the winning run in the seventh, then erupted for seven runs in their final at bat in the eighth.

In the seventh, Justin Parr reached safely on a one-out infield error, advanced to second on a groundout, stole third base, and scored when Mike Trachtenberg beat out an infield hit.

Westfield executed its “Small Ball” offense to near perfection when it dropped down four bunts in its big eighth inning. Stroking two-run singles in the inning were pinch hitter Kevin Lyons, Jeff Fields and Cagney Turner.

Turner led the Owls’ 13-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with his two RBI. Scott McIntrye had a double and single and Trachtenberg was 2 for 5.

Josh Perches, the second of three Westfield pitchers, garnered the victory. He hurled three and a third innings, allowing one run and three hits and striking out two. Phil Towne threw the final two innings for the Owls’ eighth pitching save in nine victories.

Ryan Koschmieder collected two of Western Connecticut’s five hits and Rob Bedard pounded a double.

Freshman lefty Bill Armstrong was the losing pitcher. He threw seven innings, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out seven.

Westfield State 10, Western Connecticut 2 (Apr 02, 2008 at Westfield, MA)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Connecticut. 000 110 000  -  2  5  4      (7-10)
Westfield State..... 000 002 17X  - 10 13  1      (9-6)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Bill Armstrong; Miles Scribner(8); Joe Postemsky(8). 
Westfield State - Glass; Perches(4); Towne(8). 
Win-Perches(2-0)  Save-Towne(1)  Loss-Bill Armstrong(1-2)  T-2:50  A-50
HR WESTBB - Franke (1).
Game: WCBB0402

UMASS BOSTON SWEEPS WESTCONN ON LITTLE EAST CONFERENCE OPENING DAY

DANBURY, CT – (March 30) - The Western Connecticut State University baseball team dropped a pair of games to UMass Boston, 12-1 and 5-3, in the Little East Conference openers for both teams at Westside Field on Sunday afternoon.

In the opener, the Beacons, 7-9 overall, pounded out 13 hits and scored seven runs in the sixth inning to put the game away.

Jake Chastain led the hitting attack with three hits. Danny Arenas belted a three-run home run in UMass Boston's sixth. Casey Rice, Mike Dorval and Matthew Riech had two hits apiece for the winners.

Nick Conway went seven innings and improves to 2-1 on the season. He struck out 11, walked two and allowed the Colonials' four hits. Anthony Lauretto mopped up the final two innings. He struck out two.

Alex Zancan, 1-1, took the loss for the Colonials. He allowed six runs over 5 1/3 while striking out one and walking three.

In the second game, Arenas continued his hot bat, going 3-for5 with a two-run home run. Timothy Fontaine and Eric Salvador had a pair of hits apiece. Salvador had two RBI in the victory.

Nick Ross went 3-for4 with two RBI in the nightcap. Matt Gardiner was the only other WestConn player with multiple hits, going 2-for-5.

Mike Cain pitched a scoreless sixth inning and it was enough to earn the victory. He improves to 3-0 on the season.

Miles Scribner, 1-1, went two innings of relief and gave up two runs on three hits. He struck out one and walked three.

WestConn will travel to Eastern Connecticut State University to make up the game regularly schedule for today. It will meet the Warriors at 4 p.m. in Mansfield, CT.

UMass Boston 12, Western Connecticut 1 (Mar 30, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass Boston........ 100 127 010  - 12 13  0      (6-9, 1-0 LEC)
Western Connecticut. 100 000 000  -  1  4  1      (7-9, 0-1 LEC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: UMass Boston - Nick Conway; Anthony Lauretto(8). Western Connecticut - Alex Zancan; 
Jeff Hancock(6); Josh Vaghi(7); Matt Josefs(9). 
Win-Nick Conway(2-1)  Loss-Alex Zancan(1-1)  T-3:00  A-50
HR UMBBB - Mike Dorval; Danny Arenas.

UMass Boston 5, Western Connecticut 3 (Mar 30, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.) (Game 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass Boston........ 000 200 300  -  5 12  2      (7-9, 2-0 LEC)
Western Connecticut. 201 000 000  -  3  9  2      (7-10, 0-2 LEC)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: UMass Boston - Mike Andriano; Mike Cain(6); Tom Michael(7). Western Connecticut - 
Joe Mangano; Miles Scribner(7); Joe Postemsky(9). 
Win-Mike Cain(3-0)  Save-Tom Michael(1)  Loss-Miles Scribner(1-1)  T-2:55  A-50
HR UMBBB - Danny Arenas.
J. Mangano faced 1 batter in the 7th.

BILLY ARMSTRONG PITCHES A GEM AS COLONIALS DEFEAT MOUNT ST. VINCENT, 10-3

DANBURY, CT – Freshman left hander Billy Armstrong (Moodus, CT) went eight impressive innings and picked up his first collegiate victory as the Western Connecticut State University baseball team defeated Mount St. Vincent College, 10-3 at Westside Field Thursday afternoon.

Armstrong allowed three runs, one of them earned, while allowing seven hits and striking out eight. Six of his eight strike outs caught the batter looking. He walked only one on the day.

Mount St. Vincent put two runs on the board in the top of the first inning when Al Schor laced a double down the left field line, plating James Labartino and Turner Monroe.

WestConn came right back with three runs in the bottom of the first when sophomore catcher Rob Bedard (Uncasville, CT) belted a bases-clearing double over the head of the left fielder, Scott Taylor. Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, CT), Matt Gardiner (Terrybille, CT) and Pat Kantor (Southbury, CT) came in on Bedard’s blast.

McNeil hit his second home run in as many games to give the Colonials a 4-2 lead in the second. Taylor actually got a good part of his glove on the homer, but could not hold on as he collided with the fence.

In the fifth, Mount St. Vincent drew within two runs, 5-3 when Labartino scored after WestConn second baseman Zach Dandrea (Wanaque, NJ) dropped the throw to first on Logan Mauzy’s sacrifice bunt. Labartino scampered home from third when Dandrea did not pick up the loose ball.

The Colonials got the run back, plus an insurance run when Nick Ross (Oakdale, CT) drove across McNeil and Ryan Koschmieder (Groton, CT) with an in-between hop double off the glove off Munroe.

Dandrea drove in Jeff Gordon (Milford, CT) who led off the inning with a double to left center. Dandrea chased Corey Kirsch off the mound with his double down the right field line. He later came around to score. Gardiner later placed a single down the right field line to drive McNeil in with his fourth run of the game. WestConn led 9-3 after six innings.

Kirsch went 5 1/3 and allowed eight runs on seven hits while striking out seven and walking two before yielding to John Olsen.

WestConn added an insurance run in the seventh when John DiGiovanni (Waterbury, CT) singled to left field to plate Kantor who led off the inning with a walk.

McNeil had another good day, going 3-for-5 with a home run and four runs scored.

Joe Postemsky (Windham, CT) pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Colonials.

WestConn host UMass Boston at Westside Field on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 12 noon. If the impending inclement weather hits the Danbury the doubleheader versus the Beacons will be moved to Sunday at 1 p.m. The regular-scheduled game at Eastern Connecticut State University will be moved to a later date to accommodate the move.

Western Connecticut 10, Mount. St. Vincent 3 (Mar 27, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.)

Mount. St. Vincent.. 200 010 000  -  3  7  0      (4-7)
Western Connecticut. 310 023 10X  - 10 10  4      (7-8)

Pitchers: Mount. St. Vincent - Kirsh, Corey; Olson, John(6). 
Western Connecticut - Bill Armstrong; Joe Postemsky(9). 
Win-Bill Armstrong(1-1)  Loss-Kirsh, Corey(0-1)  T-2:40  A-50
HR WestConn - Sam McNeil(2).

Little East Conference
Pitcher of the Week (week ending 3/24/08)

Miles Scribner (Washington, Conn.)
Sophomore
Right-handed Pitcher

In two appearances this past week, Scribner allowed one run in 12 innings, while registering eight strikeouts and a 0.75 earn run average for Western Connecticut. On March 21, the Washington, Conn. native threw eight strong innings against Bethany College (WV), allowing just a single run on six hits, while picking up five strikeouts to earn his first victory of the season. Earlier in the week, he did not surrender an earned run over four innings against Grinnell.

RAMAPO DEFEATS WESTCONN 18-7 IN COLONIALS' HOME OPENER

DANBURY, CT - The Ramapo College baseball team scored seven runs in the top half of the first inning and never looked back as it cruised to an 18-7 victory over Western Connecticut State University in the Colonials' home opener at Westside Field Wednesday afternoon.

The first seven batters in the Roadrunners lineup came in to score as they chased WestConn starter and loser Steve Bainer (Prospect, CT) with one out in the frame.

Ramapo, 10-6, was paced by a 15-hit attack including three hits from Nick Sbarra (3-for-3 with two runs scored) and Shaun Hanrahan (3-for-4 with three RBI and a runs scored). Mike Manges and Justin Donnarumma each had two hits on the afternoon.

Domenick Raimondo same on in relief of starter Jordan Descafano with one out in the fourth and recorded his first victory of the season. Descafano allowed one run on three hits and struck out three but had trouble finding the strike zone, walking seven. Raimondo allowed six runs, three of them earned while striking out three and walking one.

WestConn shortstop Sam McNeil (Gales Ferry, CT) led the Colonials going 3-for5 with a two-run home run, in the sixth, and three runs batted in.

The Colonials, 6-8, drew within four runs, 8-4, after scoring three runs in the bottom of the six, but the Roadrunners tacked five more insurance runs on the scoreboard in the top half of the seventh. The big blow in the came off the bat of designated hitter Ryan Paxton when he belted a grand slam home run around the fair pole in left.

The Colonials come right back on Thursday for another non-league game against Mount St. Vincent College. First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.


LINESCORE

Ramapo 18, Western Connecticut 7 (Mar 26, 2008 at Danbury, Conn.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ramapo.............. 700 010 541  - 18 15  3      (10-6)
Western Connecticut. 000 103 300  -  7  9  4      (6-8)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pitchers: Ramapo - Jordan Descafano; Domenick Raimondo(4); Mike Cordasco(7); Matt Scarber(8); 
Tim Hannes(9). Western Connecticut - Steve Bainer; David Alarcon(1); Jeff Hancock(5); 
Ryan Dilts(7); Josh Murray(8); Miles Scribner(9). 
Win-Domenick Raimondo(1-0)  Loss-Steve Bainer(0-3)  T-3:48  A-50
HR RCNJBB - Ryan Paxton.
HR WCBB2008 - Sam McNeil.

WESTCONN ENDS SOUTHERN TRIP WITH WINS OVER BETHANY AND CROWN

FORT PIERCE, FL – (March 21) – Miles Scribner pitched eight strong innings and picked up his first win of the season as the Western Connecticut State University baseball team defeated Bethany College of West Virginia, 6-1 in the first of two games on the final day of its southern trip at the Fort Pierce Sports Complex. The Colonials came back in the afternoon and blanked Crown College, 13-0 and will head back to Connecticut on Saturday with a 6-7 record.

Scribner allowed one run on six hits while striking out five and walking just one and improved to 1-0 on the young season.

In the WestConn second, Rob Bedard grounded into a double play and pushed Matt Perper across with the Colonials first run. Perper led off the inning by being hit by a pitch.

The Colonials went up 2-0 in the top half of the fifth inning when Jeff Gordon lined a sacrifice fly to straight away center field and drove Pat Kantor in. Kantor opened the inning with a double down the right field line and moved over to third on a wild pitch by Bethany starter Josh Eckelberger.

In the Bethany fifth, the Bison threatened, but the inning ended when Dan Amarante gunned down Milton Joyner at the plate. Joyner tried to score from second base on a single by Tyler Dillinger.

In the top of the seventh, WestConn tacked on two more runs on RBI single from Rob Bedard and Zach Dandrea.

The Colonials added two insurance runs in the eight when they strung together three straight singles. Kantor had and RBI and Amarante scored on an error by second baseman Tony Talotta.

Scribner loaded the bases to open up the eighth inning but escaped with only giving up one run on a fielder’s choice ground out by pinch hitter R. J. Faldowski. Faldowski’s ground out plated Nick Czapor, who led off the frame with a double.

Joe Postemsky came on in the ninth for the Colonials. He loaded the bases but got out of the jam without yielding a run.

Against Crown College, WestConn put three runs on the scoreboard in the third inning without getting a hit. John DiGiovanni Matt Inzitari and John Callahan each scored a run as they reach on a pair of walks and an error, respectively.

The Colonials loaded the bases again in the fourth inning, but were only able to come away with one run. Sam McNeil line out to left center field, moving DiGiovanni in from third. DiGiovanni led off the inning with a double to the gap in left.

With one out in the seventh, WestConn loaded the bases again. This time it plated three runs, two coming following a two-run single by DiGiovanni. The third came around when his hit was misplayed in right field by Winston Mullet.

DiGiovanni finished the day with three hits in four official plate appearances. McNeil went two-for-five and had three RBI.

WestConn added an unearned run in the eighth. McNeil came around to score after hitting a one-out double over the left fielder’s head. Five more runs came across in the ninth and the score grew to 13-0.

Ryan Dilts evens his record at 1-1 after going seven innings. He allowed three hits and had two strike outs on the day. Jeff Hancock and Josh Murray worked a scoreless eighth and ninth inning, respectively.

Josh Cleveland (0-2) took the loss for the Storm, now 0-4.

GAME ONE
Western Connecticut 6, Bethany 1 (Mar 21, 2008 at Fort Pierce, FL)
Western Connecticut. 010 010 220  -  6 10  3      (5-7)
Bethany............. 000 000 010  -  1  8  1      (5-3)

Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Miles Scribner; Joe Postemsky(9). 
Bethany - Josh Eckelberger;  Adam Nyswaner(8). Win-Miles Scribner(1-0)  
Loss-Josh Eckelberger(1-2)  T-2:10  A-50
 
GAME TWO
Western Connecticut 13, Crown 0 (Mar 21, 2008 at Fort Pierce, FL)
Western Connecticut. 003 100 315  - 13 11  3      (6-7)
Crown............... 000 000 000  -  0  5  5      (0-4)

Pitchers: Western Connecticut - Ryan Dilts; Jeff Hancock(8); 
Josh Murray(9). Crown - Cleveland, Josh; Groth, Jeff(7); Mullet, Marshall(7). 
Win-Ryan Dilts(1-1)  Loss-Cleveland, Josh(0-2)  T-2:32  A-5

WESTCONN’S MATT GARDINER COLLECTS 100^TH CAREER HIT

FORT PIERCE, FL – (March 20) – Senior catcher Matt Gardiner collected his 100^th career hit in the nightcap of the Western Connecticut State University baseball team’s doubleheader against New Paltz on Thursday afternoon at the Fort Pierce Sports Complex. He finished going four-for-five but the Colonials dropped a pair to the Hawks, 3-2 and 10-9 in eight innings.

In the opener, Jon Shanks improved to 2-1 on the season after scattering seven hits while striking out eight and walking none for the Hawks.

Steve Bainer had his most impressive outing as a Colonial. He allowed just seven hits, struck out five and did not allow a walk. He falls to 0-2 on the young season.

New Paltz got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the bottom of the third. Tyler Terlecky and Joel Judson had run-scoring singles for the Hawks.

WestConn came right back and made the score 2-1 when Jeff Gordon drove Nick Ross home with a single to left field.

Kevin Paino scored in the bottom half of the fourth after leading off with a single to left field off starter Steve Bainer. He stole the Hawks fifth base of the game then came around to score on a hit by Rob Helf.

The Colonials threatened in the seventh inning when Rob Bedard got his first RBI of the season with a deep drive to center field. The sacrifice fly plated Gordon, who led off the inning with a single.

Gordon finished the game with a pair of single in three trips to the plate. Zach Dandrea was the only other WestConn player with two hits as he went two-for-three.

In the second game, Gardiner collected his 100^th career hit in his first at bat with a run-scoring single in the bottom half of the first inning to give the Colonials a 1-0 lead.

New Paltz came back with three runs, two of them earned, in the top half of the second inning. Rob Helf and Javy Lopez had RBIs in the frame. The Hawks added another run in the third inning. It too was unearned, when Devin Scalabrini scored on a single by Doug Chaputian.

The Colonials knotted the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the third. Matt Perper had an RBI single and Pat Kantor laced a two-run triple to the wall in right center, plating Gardiner and Perper.

The Hawks took the lead, 5-4 with another unearned run. Terlecky drove in Jesse Marsh from second base after WestConn starter Joe Mangano had him picked off first base. Perper couldn’t get the ball out of his glove and Marsh advanced to second base.

The Colonials put a three spot on the board in the fourth inning. Ryan Koschmieder, Ross and Gardiner each had an RBI in the frame and chased New Paltz starter Joel Judson from the game.

Gardiner continued his hot back in the fifth, hitting his second double of the game and driving in two more runs to give the Colonials a 9-5 advantage.

Alex Cadmus had a run-scoring single in the sixth inning to bring the Hawks within three runs, 9-6. Kevin Paino belted a triple by a diving Ryan Kantor in right field to plate Cadmus. Paino’s hit chased Mangano.

Mangano finished the day allowing 10 hits, eight runs, four of them earned while striking out five and walking two. Jeff Hancock came on in relief of Mangano and struck out Helf with the bases loaded.

New Paltz tied the game in the top half of the seventh when Cadmus delivered a single to right field, scoring Marsh. Marsh led off the inning being hit by a pitch from Perper.

WestConn went down in order in the seventh to send the game into extra innings.

The Hawks scored what proved to be the winning run in the top of the eight with yet another unearned run. Chapatian reached on an error by Dandrea and was moved over by a sacrifice by Lopez. Marsh recorded his second RBI of the afternoon with a single to left field.