HARWICH, Mass. – Second-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University broke open a close game with four runs in the top of the eighth inning to secure a 6-3 victory over sixth-seeded Western New England College in a winners' bracket game of the NCAA Division III New England Regional Baseball Tournament Thursday afternoon (May 17) at Whitehouse Field.
Freshman Melvin Castillo had a key three-run double in the inning that gave the Warriors a 6-1 lead. He finished the day 3-for-4 with four RBI and a run. Senior center fielder Randy Re also went 3-for-4 with a run and RBI.
The Golden Bears tied the game at 1-1 in the second inning on a RBI double by senior first baseman Tom Horgan (Westfield, MA).
Western New England College (28-11) rallied in the ninth by scoring a pair of runs on a fielder's choice by Horgan and single by sophomore right fielder Chris Newell (Wallingford, CT). Junior shortstop Ryan Kravontka (Glastonbury, CT) went 2-for-4 and scored two runs.
WNEC junior lefty Chris Anderson (Moodus, CT) and ECSU right-hander Jimmy Jagodzinski were hooked up in a pitchers duel until the eighth. Anderson saw his record dip to 4-2 while Jagodzinski stayed unbeaten at 7-0. Junior right-hander Jason LaVorgna came on to gain his fifth save of the season.
The Golden Bears will meet third-seeded Williams in an elimination game at approximately 8:00 p.m. tonight. The Ephs (26-9), who lost to WNEC 10-5 on Wednesday, stayed alive in the tournament by eliminating seventh-seeded St. Joseph's, Maine 12-7 in today's morning contest.
Eastern Connecticut (36-10) will play either top-seeded Wheaton or fifth-seeded Keene State at noon Friday (May 18).
