MILTON, Mass. - Freshman outfielder Greg Ford (Nashua, N.H.) drove in five runs, including a grand slam home run, to lead sixth-seeded Keene State past third-seeded Curry College, 10-3, in ECAC Division III New England Baseball Tournament first-round action Friday.

The host Colonels (20-14-2) broke on top 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning off Owls' starter Rick Stromgren (Keene, NH). But Keene State (23-15) took the lead for good by plating three runs in the top of the third and three more in the top of the sixth off Curry starter Kris Tedesco (Newton, Mass.).

Leading 6-2 in the top of the eighth, Ford faced Colonels' reliever Bill Powell (Sandwich, Mass.) with the bases loaded and launched a deep fly that stayed fair by inches as it cleared the right field fence.

Stromgren went seven strong innings in improving his record to 5-1. He scattered eight hits and struck out four, while allowing one walk and two earned runs. Tedesco (3-2) lasted 6 1/3 innings, allowing 11 hits, two walks, and three earned runs while striking out two.

Keene State advances to the semifinal round and will take on seventh-seeded Babson College at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21st at Curry College. The winner of that contest will travel immediately to Bridgewater State to play in the Championship Game against either Endicott College or Brandeis University.

The game marked the first meeting between the two teams on the diamond.