CLEARWATER, FLA. 03/15/05 - The Keene State College baseball team improved its spring week trip record to 4-2 when it split a doubleheader with Nichols College on Tuesday in Clearwater, Fla. The Owls took a 1-0 win in the opener, but were edged 4-3 in the second game.

In the opener, KSC scored the decisive run in the top of the second stanza, and held on for the victory. John Maryanski (Nashua, N.H.) scored the Owls' only run when he was knocked in by Matt Orszulak (Campton, N.H.).

"We're playing well," said KSC Coach Ken Howe. "We're one hit away from opening things up."

Collecting his first collegiate win, Phil Mabey (1-0) (Williamstown, Mass.) allowed four hits, striking out four, and walking two in six innings on the mound. Greg Ford (Nashua, N.H.) pitched the seventh inning to record the save. He gave up only one hit.

Tim Hanson (Dennis, Mass.) took the loss for Nichols.

In the nightcap, the Owls rallied to pull within one (4-3) with a seventh inning RBI single by John Grainger (Keene, N.H.), but could not plate the tying run.

Mike Cook (Dover, Mass.) started on the mound for KSC. He pitched four innings of four hit, two run ball, fanning four and walking two. Mike Wiseman (0-1) (Barnstable, Mass.) took the loss for the Owls striking out two and allowing one run in the fifth inning.

Sophomore pitcher Gary Dalton (Quincy, Mass.) pitched a complete game seven hitter with two strike outs for Nichols.

Keene State (4-2) is off on Wednesday and return to action on Thursday to face Framingham State College.