ST. LEO, FLA. 03/13/05 - The Keene State College baseball team opened its 2005 season in grand-fashion as it swept William Paterson University of New Jersey (6-5 and 9-7) in a doubleheader in St. Leo's Fla. on Sunday.

The Owls opened the day with a wild come-from-behind victory over the Pioneers. Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh, the Owls made their move with two outs and two runners, Peter Hall (Danielson, Conn.) and Mike Masseur (Warwick, R.I.), on base. Senior outfielder John Maryanski (Nashua, N.H.) hit an RBI single to score Hall and knot the score at 5-5. University of Southern Maine junior transfer Josh Watkins (Keene, N.H.) struck out swinging, but the ball got by William Paterson's catcher and Masseur scored to give KSC the win.

Making his first collegiate start, Ryan Jones (Nashua, N.H.) was two-for-four with an RBI, while Jeremy Schilling (Centerville, Mass.), Masseur, and Watkins had a couple of hits each. KSC had 12 hits in the game.

Brian Gelalia (Northvale, N.J.) went 3-for-4 with three RBI to pace William Paterson.

Keene native Rick Stromgren started on the mound for the Owls, allowing three earned runs and eight hits with four walks in four and two-thirds innings. Jim Slack (Manchester, N.H.) (two runs, three hits) pitched the last two innings to pick up the win in relief.

Junior reliever Casey Hoalcraft (Long Branch, N.J.) took the loss for William Paterson. He gave up one hit, a walk, and two runs.

The nightcap was just as dramatic as the Owls trailed 7-5 in the top of the seventh. KSC found themselves in a similar situation with two outs and two on as freshmen Greg Ford (Nashua, N.H.) and Joe Rousseau (Nashua, N.H.) delivered consecutive RBI singles to tie the score seven-all. William Paterson pitcher Bill Ziegenbalg (West Milford, N.J.) then walked Andrew Buell (Petersham, Mass.) to load the bases. Senior outfielder Matt Orzsulak (Campton, N.H.) stepped to the plate and singled to score the final two runs in the game.

The Owls jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first ignited by a two-run double by Schilling and an RBI single by Ford.

John Grainger (Keene, N.H.) went two-for-three with an RBI, while Masseur and Hall each had two hits to lead KSC's 12-hit attack.

Senior catcher Anthony Mazzo went 2-for-4 with four RBI to lead the Pioneers.

Owl starter Ryan Kohler (Alstead, N.H.) gave up six hits, four runs, struck out three, and walked one in five innings on the mound. Austin, who came into the game in the sixth inning, gave up two hits and a run to earn the win. Ford picked up the save in the seventh fanning two.

William Paterson's Ziegenbalg took the loss after allowing two runs in 0.2 innings of work.

KSC will face Husson College in a Monday doubleheader.

Player AVG GP-GS AB R H

Mark Plourd......... .444 7-2 9 2 4