'WESTFIELD - Nationally ranked Keene State College scored early in posting a 6-1 victory over Westfield State in non-conference baseball action Thursday, April 20.

Keene State, ranked third in New England and 25th nationally, improved to 22-9. Westfield State dropped to 13-16.

Keene State belted nine of its 14 hits off losing pitcher Russ Lloyd (Palmer, MA) in the first four innings as it took a 5-1 lead. Keene scored three runs in the third inning, with the big blow a two-run double by senior leftfielder Jeremy Schilling (Centerville, MA).

Schilling was 2 for 5 with two RBI and a double. No. 9 batter Ryan Jones (Nashua, NH) was 3 for 4 with an RBI. Freshman leadoff batter Jeff Perkins (Dunbarton, NH) was 2 for 4 with two doubles. Senior first baseman Nick Arroyo (Northridge, CA) was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Westfield State was unable to come up with the big hit as it stranded 10 base runners. Westfield did, however, stop Keene from breaking the game wide open as the host team turned four double plays.

Leadoff batter Justin Parr (North Attleboro, MA) collected three of Westfield's eight hits; he was 3 for 5 with a run scored. Senior first baseman Pat Jaehnig (Quincy, MA) was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Freshman second baseman Chad Windyka (Palmer, MA) was 2 for 4.

Junior Jake Tenney was the winning pitcher. He threw seven innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out four.

Sophomore Ken Vautrin (South Hadley, MA) pitched well in relief for Westfield. He hurled five innings, allowing no earned runs, five hits and one walk.

KSC travels to Southern Maine on Saturday for a key LEC doubleheader.