AUBURNDALE, FLA.  3/14/11 – The Keene State College baseball team dropped its first Spring Week game, falling to No. 18 ranked Cortland State 12-4 at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla. on Monday.

Owl pitchers struggled throughout the game, allowing eight walks and three hit batters, with seven of them coming around to score.  "I was very disappointed with the pitching today," said KSC Coach Ken Howe. "You look at the scoreboard and it's a different ball game."

Keene State (3-2) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a two-out single up the middle by junior Larry Longo (Londonderry, N.H.).  Cortland State (4-4) scored five runs in the third to go up 5-1.  KSC go two runs back in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double by senior Tyler DiPrato (Suffield, Conn.) to make it 5-3. 

The Red Dragons extended their lead with a four run sixth inning to go up 9-3.

Howe used several of his younger players in the non-region game, including catcher Matt Boulay (Stafford Springs, Conn.).  Making his first start behind the plate, the freshman responded with a couple of hits and a nifty strike 'em out – throw 'em out play at third in the second inning. 

Another freshman David Valley also had a pair of hits for the Owls.

Sophomore Eric Perrault (Salem, N.H.) took the loss for KSC. He gave up five runs on two hits with five strikeouts, three walks and two hit batters.  Sophomores John Coughlin (Litchfield, N.H.) and Joe Katin (Byfield, Mass.) and Kyle Underwood (Campton, N.H.) also saw time on the mound.

Keene State goes up against St. Joseph's College of Maine at Webber International College in Babson Park, Fla. on Tuesday (9:30 a.m.).