Box Score Box Score

Jeff Schult

Cote Nichols

HARWICH, Mass. - Senior right-hander Zach Cloft (Glastonbury, CT) tied his career high with nine strikeouts and senior center-fielder Andrew Fatse (Hampden, MA) went 4-for-4 to lead second-seeded Western New England to a 4-1 victory over sixth-seeded Saint Joseph's, Maine Thursday night (May 19) at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship.

The Golden Bears, ranked 18th nationally in the d3baseball/NCBWA poll, will meet eighth-seeded Bridgewater State at 4:30 p.m. Friday (May 20) at Whitehouse Field in a winners' bracket game. BSU (25-15) topped fifth-seeded Rhode Island 8-5 in an afternoon contest.

It was another record-setting performance for WNE who reached the 40-win plateau for the first time in the program's 44-year distinguished history. The Golden Bears are now 40-9.

Complete Tournament Results (Courtesy of the ECAC)

Cloft, who improved his record to 8-2, allowed six hits while walking just one batter in an efficient 102-pitch performance. He fanned five of the last six hitters he faced to equal his career high set against Wentworth on May 5 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Championship.

Senior Mike Lawlor (Windsor, CT) gave up one hit and had a strikeout in the ninth for his school best 10th save of the season and second in as many nights.

The Monks (31-14) took  1-0 lead in the fourth on a homer to left by sophomore first baseman Mike Pratt (Dartmouth, MA). He also had a double in the second and single in the sixth, but missed hitting for the cycle when he grounded-out in the ninth.

Western New England quickly came back with two runs in the fifth when Fatse and junior designated hitter Mike Taylor (Andover, MA) both singled to lead off the inning. Sophomore shortstop Kyle McKelvey (Schenectady, NY) moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore right-fielder Matt Anthonis (Guilford, CT) then delivered a clutch two-run single down the left field line.

The Golden Bears took a 3-1 advantage in the sixth with senior first baseman Tony Trubia (Tolland, CT) starting things with a lead-off double to left-center. Sophomore second baseman Mike Rubino (Northford, CT) singled to right and Trubia scored on an error by the right-fielder. 

With his double Trubia became the program's all-time leader with 213 hits, breaking the old mark of 212 previously set by Ryan Kravontka (2005-08).

Western New England scored its final run in the eighth when Fatse had an infield single with two outs, stole second, and came around on a key RBI single by McKelvey who finished with two hits. He also had five assists. Sophomore second baseman Tim Clark (West Springfield, MA) also singled twice.

Senior catcher Ian Lee (Hampden, ME) and sophomore center-fielder Nate Martin (Chebeague Island, ME) each contributed two singles for the Monks. Junior lefty Sam Murray (Walpole, MA) (2-1) took the loss after giving up eight hits and three runs in five innings with no walks and two strikeouts.

Saint Joseph's, Maine will meet top-seeded Tufts at 1:00 p.m. Friday in an elimination game. The Jumbos remained in the tournament after defeating MIT 3-2.