'MANSFIELD, CONN. 5/9/03 – Eastern Connecticut sent nine batters to the plate in a five-run third inning en route to a 10-6 victory over Keene State in the Little east Conference Baseball Tournament on Friday at Mansfield, Conn.

The loss eliminated the Owls (12-23) from the tournament and put an end to their season.

Seven straight batters reached for top seed Eastern (35-7) in the third.  Dan Silva, Tom Koch, and Jeff Funaro each had RBI doubles in the uprising. 

Eastern racked up 13 hits against KSC pitchers Ryan Kohler, who started and took the loss, and Corey hartson.  Kohler gave up seven runs on eight hits in the fourth inning.  Adam Czerwinski, started and got the win for the Warriors.

KSC, the fifth seed, struck for three runs off reliever Michael Maruska in the ninth inning before Thomas Spirito steeped in to seal the victory.

John Trubiano had two hits for KSC, which had eight hits.  Mike Masseur also had two hits and drove in two runs.  Nick Bujeaud and pat Austin each scored two runs.