KEENE, N.H.  4/27/10 – Keene State got a strong start from junior Kyle Davis (Rochester, N.H.) and two shutout innings of relief from junior Ed Lacourse (Manchester, N.H.) to post a 3-2 non-conference baseball victory over Husson College of Bangor, Maine on Wednesday.

            Keene State, which has won five of its last six games, improves to 19-13-1.  Husson drops to 21-18.

            Both teams traded runs in the first inning.  Freshman Shawn Smith (Winterport, Me), who made a fine over the shoulder catch in right off the bat of senior Keith Patnode (Keene, N.H.) in the third inning, drove in the Eagles' run with an RBI single.  Patnode had an RBI single to right to knock in the run for the Owls.

            Husson took the lead in the third, when sophomore Kyle Vanidestine (Bangor, Me.) was hit by a pitch, stole second and came around to score on an infield hit by freshman Andrew Bush (Holden, Me.).

            Junior Tyler DiPrato (Suffield, Conn.), who walked and advanced to third on a single by junior Bobby Doyon (Keene, N.H.), scored the tying run in the fifth on a balk.

            KSC scored the go-ahead run in the seventh.  DiPrato, who finished the game with three of the Owls' seven hits, opened the inning with a double down the right field line.  He moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Greg Bates (Salem, N.H.), and scored on a ground out to short.

            Davis had his best outing of the season, going seven innings to get the win (3-2). He allowed two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and a walk.  Lacourse was untouchable in his two-inning relief stint.  He didn't allow a hit and fanned four to pick up his first save of the season.

            Junior Tom Crews (Bangor, Me.) collected two of the Eagles' seven hits.

            Junior Bill Bart (Hermon, Maine) got the start for Husson, pitching the first five innings and giving up two runs on six hits with one strikeout and a walk.  Junior Aaron Sullivan (Eastport, Maine) took over in the sixth and took the loss (2-1).   

            Keene State's game at Mass. College on Wednesday has been cancelled. They will host Brandeis on Thursday.  Husson begins Northeast Atlantic tournament play on Friday with a game against Thomas College that will be played at Castleton State.