FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Junior third baseman Mike Rubino (Northford, CT) delivered a clutch two-out RBI double to highlight a three-run seventh inning as the Western New England baseball team posted a 6-4 victory over St. Joseph's-Long Island in the season opener for both teams Friday (Mar. 2).

Sophomore Brendan Nugent (Milford, CT) gained the win in relief by allowing just two hits with a strikeout in four innings. Senior Mike Lawlor (Windsor, CT) pitched a scoreless ninth with a strikeout for the save.

Junior second baseman Tim Clark (West Springfield, MA) contributed a sacrifice fly in the deciding inning to tie the score before Rubino (who had two hits and two runs) came through with his big hit. He later scored on a passed ball for the insurance run.

The Golden Bears took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a RBI single by junior right-fielder Matt Anthonis (Guilford, CT) and an error. Senior designated hitter Mike Taylor (Andover, MA) provided a run-scoring single in the third to increase the margin to 3-0.

Anthonis and sophomore first baseman Steve Ambrosino (Laurel Hollow, NY) each finished with two hits. Ambrosino also had a leadoff single to start the rally in the seventh.

The Eagles answered with four runs in the bottom of the third off junior Kevin Jefferis (Cheshire, CT) starting when senior third baseman James Carey (Patchogue, NY) led off with an inside the park homer. Senior first baseman Rich Pecoraro (Hampton Bays, NY) added a two-run single and junior outfielder Kenny Williams (Centereach, NY) made it 4-3 with a RBI base hit.

Sophomore Robert Hyde (West Babylon, NY) took the loss in relief.