FARMINGDALE, N.Y 3/5/11 – The Keene State College baseball team dropped its first game of the season, 5-1 to Farmingdale State in day two of the Farmingdale State Baseball Tournament.

A seven and two-thirds inning outing for junior right hander Chris Phelan (Patchogue, N.Y.) and ten hits for the Rams, scoring one run in five consecutive innings, would give the Rams (5-3) the victory.

KSC Coach Ken Howe said Owl hitters didn't have good approaches at the plate against Phelan.  "He pitched a good game and attacked the zone and kept us off balance," he said.  "We also didnt play sound fundamental ball like we did yesterday."

Like KSC, Farmington was an NCAA tournament team last year.

After a scoreless first inning, Keene State (1-1) struck first with a double to right center by junior designated hitter Larry Longo (Londonderry, N.H.) and then a single up the middle from sophomore left fielder Greg Bates (Salem, N.H.). The Owls made a pitching change early, but Farmingdale was able to get the run back, tying the game at 1-1.

Rams scored single runs in the third and fourth innings to go up 3-1. They added a run in the fifth and sixth innings.

Phelan went 7.2 innings for his second win of the season (2-1), allowing 5 hits and striking out three.

Keene State used six pitchers throughout, allowing 10 hits with three fielding errors. Sophomore Spencer Hutchinson (Broad Brook, Conn.)started for the Owls, but pitched just an inning after experiencing some discomfort in his elbow.  Senior left hander Eddie LaCourse (Manchester, N.H.) got the loss (0-1) throwing 2.2 innings, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) with a walk and two strikeouts.

The Owls mustered just six hits in the game.  Longo and Juan Bisono (New Britain, Conn.) both had doubles.

Keene State is schedule to play Western New England College on Sunday (1 p.m.)