'CLEARWATER, FLA. 3/20/04  - The Keene State College baseball team concluded its 10-game Spring Week trip to Florida by splitting a doubleheader against Colby College at Clearwater on Saturday.

The Owls, who finished their trip with a 5-5 record, edged the Mules 4-3 in their opener but lost the second game 8-1.

Pat Austin (Wallingford, Conn.) and Matt Beam (Alstead, N.H.) had two RBIs each and Ryan Kohler (Alstead, N.H.) tossed a complete game five-hitter to lead KSC in the first game.  Kohler, who evened his record at 1-1, fanned nine and walked four batters.

The Owls took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two-run single by Beam.  After Colby scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-2 lead, KSC tied the game (3-3) on a run-producing hit from Austin.  Austin also delivered the go-ahead run in the seventh with his second single of the game.

KSC fell behind 4-0 in the nightcap and never recovered.  The Owls, who had just four hits in the game, scored their lone run in the second inning.  Peter Hall (Danielson, Conn.) knocked in Matt Orszulak (Campton, N.H.) on a hit-and run play.

Starter Mike Wiseman (Barnstable, Mass.), who evened his record at 1-1, took the loss for the Owls.  He gave up four runs, three hits with three strikeouts and four walks in an inning and two-thirds of work.  Mike Corsano (Corlandt Park, N.Y.) was effective in relief. He gave up just one earned run with three strikeouts in his four and a third innings on the mound.

 "We got great weather and played well in spurts," said KSC Coach Ken Howe.  "We saw some weaknesses we have to work on before we play again up north."

KSC is scheduled to begin its northern slate on Wednesday at Salve Regina University (6 p.m.).