MANSFIELD, Conn. â€" Sophomore Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA) pitched his name into the Western New England College record book tossing a seven-hitter and striking out a career high 10 in a 3-1 victory over Endicott College in an opening round game of the 2004 NCAA Division III New England Regional Baseball Tournament.

The win was the first ever by a WNEC men’s team in six NCAA Division III Tournament appearances (three in men’s basketball, two in baseball, and one in men’s lacrosse).

Connelly didn't walk a batter as he raised his record to 9-3, which ties as the second highest win total in school history.

“It was exciting to pitch in a regional tournament game,” said Connelly. “My breaking ball was working well and our defense did a nice job behind me.”

WNEC (32-12) took a 1-0 lead in the first on a RBI single by junior leftfielder Chris Mahoney (Yorkville, NY).

Endicott (26-20) tied the contest in the third on a towering homer to left center by rightfielder Pat Vincent.

The Golden Bears came right back scoring twice in the bottom of the inning on a RBI triple by junior catcher Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT) who then scored on a wild pitch.

Hackney went 2-for-4 as did junior centerfielder Jeff Maurutis (Milford, CT) (who also scored twice), freshman third baseman Josh Jacobs (Essex Junction, VT), and freshman first baseman Tom Horgan (Westfield, MA).

Maurutis' two hits gave him 58 for the season, breaking his old school mark of 57 set last year.

The game featured a triple play by Endicott in the bottom of the eighth. The Golden Bears had runners on first and second when third baseman Dustin Aiguier made a nice stop on a hard hit ball by Jacobs. Aiguier stepped on third for one out and threw to second for the second out. The Gulls were awarded the triple play when a WNEC runner was declared out for interference going from first to second.

Endicott (26-20) 001 000 000 - 1 7 3
WNEC (32-12) 102 000 00x - 3 11 1

E â€" Jack Brancaleone, James Turner (4) and Peter Norke, Mark Vaughn (8). W- Jason Connelly and Matt Hackney. WP â€" Connelly (9-3). LP â€" Brancaleone (3-5). HR - E, Pat Vincent (4).