SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Western New England College broke open a close game by scoring seven runs in the seventh inning for a 13-4 victory over visiting Rivier College in a second round game of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Tournament Thursday afternoon (April 26) at Trelease Park.

The Golden Bears (23-8), who received a first round bye, will meet either Suffolk or Johnson & Wales at 3:00 p.m. Saturday (April 28) at Holman Stadium in Nashua, New Hampshire. Suffolk and JWU have a night game tonight.

Senior third base player Josh Jacobs (Essex Junction, VT) had a single, double, and homer (his first of the season). He scored three times and had two RBI, knocking in the go ahead run when a pitch hit him with the bases loaded in the seventh.

Senior center fielder Garrison Ward (Wyckoff, NJ) and junior shortstop Ryan Kravontka (Glastonbury, CT) had three hits apiece.

Senior first baseman Tom Horgan (Westfield, MA) added two hits, which gave him 200 for his career. He is the first Golden Bears' player to hit that mark.

Senior Eric Blanchard (Worcester, MA) gained the win in relief by allowing only four hits in four innings with three strikeouts and a walk. He is now 5-1 on the season.

Rivier took a 3-1 lead in the third inning on a two-run single by freshman shortstop Corey Hayes (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and a sacrifice fly. Hayes finished with three hits did junior first baseman Kevin Moyer (Georgetown, MA).

The Raiders (11-12) will meet the Suffolk-Johnson & Wales loser at noon Saturday at Holman Stadium in the double elimination tournament.