SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior pitcher Jason Pizzoferrato (Windsor, CT) won his eighth game of the season without a loss as third-seeded Western New England College posted a 6-4 victory over fourth-seeded Wentworth Institute of Technology in the championship game of The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Baseball Tournament Sunday afternoon (May 4) at Trelease Park.

The Golden Bears, who posted a perfect 4-0 record in the playoffs, will receive an automatic invitation to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third straight year. This is Western New England College's inaugural first season in TCCC after capturing the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title the last two seasons.

Coach Matt LaBranche's squad now has a 31-11 record after running its winning streak to nine games.

Pizzoferrato allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) in 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and three walks.

Senior Chris Anderson (Moodus, CT) gave up only one hit with a strikeout and walk in 2 1/3 innings to earn his second save of the season.

The Golden Bears collected 11 hits led by the first five batters in the lineup who went a combined 9-for-20.

Senior shortstop Ryan Kravontka (Glastonbury, CT) knocked in three runs with a single and two-run double while senior first baseman Travis Schwamb (West Springfield, MA) also had a single, double (his 16th of the year), run, and RBI.

Leadoff hitter junior centerfielder Chris Newell (Wallingford, CT) added a pair of singles and his 19th stolen base of the season while sophomore second base player Justin Walz (Groton, CT) chipped-in with two hits and two runs.

Sophomore designated hitter Joe Griglun (Southington, CT) had a RBI single in the first that helped give the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead.

Freshman third baseman Tony Trubia (Tolland, CT) made a couple of nice defensive plays, including a diving stop for a force-out for the second out in the ninth when the Leopards put the tying runs on base.

Wentworth (30-13) took a 3-2 lead in the second helped by RBI singles by senior shortstop Jarrett Arment (Boylston, MA) and freshman third baseman Jake McManus (Hopkinton, MA). Arment also had five assists in the contest and started a pair of double plays with his slick fielding.

Sophomore right-fielder Doug Papuga (Branford, CT) and freshman first baseman Ben Danker (Branford, CT) both had a hit and RBI

Sophomore Chris Sandini (Upton, MA) gave up 10 hits and all six runs (four earned) with five strikeouts and two walks. He suffered his first loss in six decisions.

The Leopards had a solid tournament defeating regular season champion Roger Williams twice in the double elimination portion of the event.