PATCHOGUE, N.Y. 2/2/13 --After experiencing a pair of 2-1 losses in its previous two outings, the Keene State College baseball team chalked up its first win of the season, a one-run victory of its own on Saturday by nipping nationally-ranked Western New England 6-5 in 13 innings, during the second day of the Spring Classic co-hosted by Farmingdale State and Saint Joseph's-Long Island.
Leading 4-1 after five and a half innings, the Owls (1-2) fell behind 5-4 before rallying in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game (5-5). With two outs and runners on first and second, freshman Brett Dootson (Marlborough, Conn.) had an RBI single to center, knocking in junior Andrew Gummow (Brookline, Mass.) who reached on a fielder's chose.
The Owls got out of numerous jams against WNEU in extra innings, including the top of the 12th inning. With a runner on second, sophomore Ian Seawards (Dover, N.H.) tracked down a deep fly ball to left field to keep the Golden Bears from getting the go-ahead run.
Junior Ray Carmel (Waterford, N.Y.) was hit-by-a-pitch to open the top of the 13th inning. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Seawards and moved to third on a ground out by senior Greg Bates(Salem, N.H.). Carmel came home on a wild pitch.
Freshman third baseman Billy Hartmann (Greenland, N.H.) and sophomore shortstop Tanner Chase (York, Me.) made nice infield plays as the Golden Bears went down one-two-three in the bottom of the inning.
For the third game in a row, KSC got a strong outing from its starting pitcher. Senior John Coughlin (Litchfield, N.H.) tossed the first five inning, giving up three runs on six hits while fanning four and walking two.
After serving as the teams' designated hitter, freshman Cody Dube (Windham, Me.) pitched six innings of one-hit ball to pick-up his first career win. Dube, who faced 20 batters, got 10 of his outs on ground balls. He had one walk and one strikeout. "Cody does a little bit of everything for us," said KSC Coach Ken Howe. "You couldn't ask for a better effort than he gave us today."
The Owls finished the game with 13 hits. Bates went 3-6 while Dootson and Dube had two hits each.
Earlier in the day, Keene State dropped a 2-1 game to Farmingdale State.
Farmingdale State (2-5) scored single runs in the bottom of the sixth and eighth innings to take a 2-0 lead.
Looking to rally, Keene State got one run back in the top of the ninth. Dube reached base with two outs after being hit by a pitch. Seawards cut the deficit in half with an RBI single to left. With bases loaded, Rams' junior pitcher Timmy Trimarchi (Hauppauge, N.Y.) forced a fly out by Carmel to right field to end the game.
The Owls were led by junior second baseman Nick Vita (Spofford, N.H.) and Dootson (Marlborough, Conn.) who each had two hits in the game.
The loss spoiled the debut of freshman Eddie Dionne (Concord, N.H.) on the mound for the Owls. He pitched the first 5.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits with a strikeout and six walks. He is now 0-1 on the season.
Junior pitcher Michael Dolce (St. James, N.Y.) picked up his first victory of the season for Farmingdale, after throwing 6.1 scoreless innings and striking out seven.
Keene State wraps up it four games at the Spring Classic with a game against RPI on Sunday (1:30 p.m.).