SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--The Springfield College men's tennis team escaped the Volvo Outdoor Tennis Courts with a 5-3 victory Friday over host Western New England University in a non-conference match-up of local programs. The Pride improve to 2-1 on the season while the Golden Bears fall even to 1-1.

Juniors P.J. Nassar/Peter LeFrancois teamed up at No. 3 doubles to cruise past Cody Rodrigues and Joshua Robinson, 8-3, cutting WNE's deficit to 2-1 before going into the singles round.

Sophomores Adam Zimmerman and Andrew Schnier picked up the Golden Bears' other two points at Nos. 5 and 6 singles, respectively. Zimmerman defeated Robinson in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, while Schnier prevailed over Nate Weissman, 7-5, 6-2. 

Western New England was on its way to another point before darkness left the No. 4 singles meeting between Tyler Unwin-Rodrigues unfinished, with Unwin ahead 6-2, 5-7, 1-0.

"Our team played their hearts out today. I was very happy with the quality of tennis, the mental toughness and the way they conducted themselves overall," WNE coach Jennifer Kolins said after the match. "We have been working extremely hard to compete at this level, and I look forward to the next steps of our winter and spring seasons."

Freshmen Justin Danielewicz and Kyle Beynor led Springfield by earning two points apiece. They partnered at No. 1 doubles for a 9-7 win over the sophomore tandem of Alexander Sause/Andres Otero. Danielewicz also eked past Sause at No. 2 singles, 6-3, 7-5, and Beynor was taken to a pair of tiebreakers but edged LeFrancois at No. 3 singles in two, 7-6 (4) 7-6 (4). 

Senior Joe Giannelli also claimed two points at No. 2 doubles (with Weissman) and No. 1 singles. 

Doubles Competition
1) Justin Danielewicz/Kyle Beynor (SC) def. Alexander Sause/Andres Otero, 9-7
2) Joe Giannelli/Nate Weissman (SC) def. Tyler Unwin/Greg Tischofer, 8-4
3) P.J. Nassar/Peter LeFrancois (WNE) def. Cody Rodrigues/Joshua Robinson, 8-3

Singles Competition
1) Joe Giannelli (SC) def. Andres Otero, 6-4, 6-2
2) Justin Danielewicz (SC) def. Alexander Sause, 6-3, 7-5
3) Kyle Beynor (SC) def. Peter LeFrancois, 7-6 (4) 7-6 (4)
4) Tyler Unwin (WNE) vs. Cody Rodrigues, 6-2, 5-7, 1-0; suspended due to darkness
5) Adam Zimmerman (WNE) def. Joshua Robinson, 6-2, 6-3
6) Andrew Schnier (WNE) def. Nate Weissman, 7-5, 6-2