PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Cortland State (N.Y.) broke open a close game with six runs in the eighth inning for a 12-4 victory over Western New England College Saturday afternoon (Mar. 17) at the Port Charlotte Invitational. The Red Dragons banged out 15 hits in raising their record to 9-0.

The Golden Bears (1-2) had 10 hits, including two by junior shortstop Ryan Kravontka (Glastonbury, CT). Senior centerfielder Garrison Ward (Wyckoff, NJ) and freshman catcher Tyler Montrone (Wilton, CT) each had a RBI single. Freshman second baseman Justin Walz (Groton, CT) had a triple and run in the first that tied the game at 1-1. Senior Eric Smolin (Westford, MA) took the loss.

Cortland led 3-1 before scoring three times in the seventh (highlighted by a two-run pinch hit homer by Sean Caughey) and six in the eighth. Steve Nickel (2 RBI, 2 runs) and Travis Robinson (2 doubles) each had three hits.