'DANBURY, CT - Keene State College opened the 2006 Little East Conference schedule with a doubleheader sweep at Western Connecticut State University, 5-2 and 8-5 on Saturday afternoon.

In the opener, Rick Stromgren (Keene, NH) pitched eight shut out innings, allowing five hits while striking out six and walking just one.  He improves to 2-1 on the season for the Owls.

Both teams scattered nine hits in the first game.

The Owls, 12-4 overall and 2-0 in league play, were led by Greg Ford (Nashua, NH) and Josh Watkins (Keene, NH) who each belted home runs in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively.

Andy Powers (Stratford, CT) went 3-for-4 in the opener, including a home run in the bottom of the ninth off reliever Kevin Binney (Hopedale, NH).  Ford came on to register the save with one out in the ninth inning.

In the second game, WestConn could not hold on to a 3-0 first-inning as Keene State scored six runs over the next three inning to take a 6-3 lead in the fourth.

The Owls had 14 hits in the second game with six players having two knock apiece.  Jeremy Schilling (Centerville, MA) completed the twinbill with four hits in seven at bats

Jon Young (Rindge, NH) earned the victory after allowing four earned runs and 10 hits while striking out five and walking two for the Owls. Josh Bertash (Tolland, CT) took the loss after being chased after five innings.  He allowed seven runs, six of them earned, while striking out one and walking three.

The Colonials travel to Eastern Connecticut on Sunday, April 2 for a meeting with the Warriors.  First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.  KSC hosts Castleton State on Sunday (1 p.m.).