MESA, Ariz. - The Western New England College baseball opened its season with 2-1, 9-4 doubleheader loss to William Paterson University of New Jersey Saturday afternoon (March 15) at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational played at Gene Autry Park.
Senior pitcher Chris Anderson (Moodus, CT) had a strong outing in his season debut allowing only five hits while striking out nine and walking one. He moved into third place on the school's all-time strikeout list with 213, ahead of Jason Connelly who fanned 206 from 2003-06.
The Golden Bears managed only three hits, including two singles by sophomore first baseman Joe Griglun (Southington, CT).
WNEC led 1-0 before the Pioneers scored twice in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI double by senior third baseman Anthony Perrone (Midland Park, NJ) the key hit.
In the second game, WPU scored five runs in the eighth inning to complete the sweep.
Western New England College trailed 4-1 before tying the game with a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to send the contest in extra innings.
The Golden Bears compiled nine hits with freshman third baseman Tony Trubia (Tolland, CT) going 2-for-3 with a run and RBI. Junior centerfielder Chris Newell (Wallingford, CT) also collected two hits.
Sophomore pitcher Erich Geckle (Baldwin Place, NY) took the loss in relief.
The Pioneers (4-2) also had nine hits with sophomore rightfielder Mike Guadango (Upper Saddle River, NJ) banging out three hits with two runs. Junior leftfielder John Elia (Emerson, NJ) had a single, double, two runs, and four RBI. Perrone added two hits and scored twice to complete a 4-for-6 afternoon.
