Early lead doesn't hold up for Panthers

            KEENE, N.H. – Solid pitching and timely hitting proved to be a winning combination for the Keene State College baseball team Tuesday afternoon in an 8-1 Little East Conference victory over rival Plymouth State University at Owl Athletic Complex.

            Sophomore John Coughlin (Litchfield, N.H.) tossed seven innings of two-hit ball and junior Kyle Morrill (Auburn, N.H.) belted a grand-slam home run in a six-run fourth inning for the Owls (16-6, 3-2 LEC), who have won three straight.

            Plymouth State (5-17, 0-5 LEC) took advantage of a couple of KSC errors to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.  The Owls scored two run in the third inning to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish.  Senior Tyler DiPrato (Suffield, Conn.) had a seeing-eye RBI single up the middle and junior Larry Longo (Londonderry, N.H.) brought in the second round on a ground out.

            In the sixth, the Owls loaded the bases on singles by juniors Dan Arsenault (Dover, N.H.) and Juan Bisono (New Britain, Conn.) and freshman Nick Vita.  Morrill cleared the bases, sending a 3-2 pitch over the left field for his first home run of the season.

            The Owls were not done just yet.  Senior Bobby Doyon (Keene, N.H.) followed with a double down the left field line.  He stole third and came home on a RBI single through the right side by DiPrato.  DiPrato advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single up the middle by junior Erik Bergstrom (Enfield, Conn.).

            Meanwhile Coughlin was doing his job on the mound.  Settling down after giving up the run in the first, Coughlin retired 17 straight batters before junior Luke Merrill (Pittsburgh, N.H.) reached base on a single with one out in the seventh inning.  Freshmen Pat Tempone (Francestown, N.H.) and Shawn Egan (East Hartford, Conn.) each worked a scoreless inning for the Owls.

            PSU was held to just three hits with freshman Jeff Runnals (Wolfeboro, N.H.) junior Mike Cappiello (Westfield, N.J.) and Merrill all with singles.  Junior Bobby Chatfield (Sharon, Conn.) started and took the loss for the Panthers.

            The Owls and Panthers both play non-conference games on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Keene State hosts Western New England and Plymouth State is at Salem State. 

(Courtesy of Keene State Sports Information) 

-- 30 --