AMHERST, MASS. 4/20/11 – Keene State College scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game and plated the go-ahead run in the 12th inning to post a 5-4 come-from-behind win over Amherst College at Memorial Field on Wednesday.  Both teams came into the game ranked in New England.  Keene State (21-8) was third and Amherst (15-6) was eighth in this week's NEIBA poll.

"The guys didn't drop their heads when we fell behind," said KSC Coach Ken Howe.  "We were able to peck away and tie the game in the ninth and win it in the 12th inning."

Keene State, which snapped a two game losing streak with the win, came into the ninth inning trailing 4-2.  Junior Juan Bisono (New Britain, Conn.) got things started with a leadoff double to right center.  Pinch hitting, sophomore Greg Bates (Salem, N.H.) followed with a single to right.  Freshman Nick Vita (Spofford, N.H.) brought home Bisono with a single through the right side to make it a one run game.  Junior Dan Arsenault (Dover, N.H.), the Owls' second pinch hitter in the frame followed with a walk to load the bases.  Senior Bobby Doyon (Keene, N.H.) also walked to bring home Bates with the tying run.

With one out in the 12th inning, senior Tyler DiPrato (Suffield, Conn.) and junior Larry Longo hit consecutive singles.  Junior Erik Bergstrom (Enfield, Conn.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  With two outs and the runners moving, Bates hit a shot up the middle that the Lord Jeffs' shortstop got a glove on, but was unable to make a play.  DiPrato came around to score the game-winning run on the play that was ruled an error. 

Sophomore Eric Perrault (Salem, N.H.) picked up the win for the Owls by pitching the final two innings without allowing a hit or a walk. Keene State's bullpen proved to be the difference maker as Perrault, senior Ed Lacourse (Manchester, N.H.), freshman Shawn Egan (East Hartford, Conn.), and senior Corey Vogt (Suffield, Conn.) combined to allow only two hits in 6.1 innings of scoreless relief.

Cam Windham took the loss for Amherst after allowing three runs on six hits in the final four innings.

Keene State got on the board first by breaking up a pitcher's duel with two runs in the sixth inning, thanks to RBI-singles by Longo and Bergstrom. The Lord Jeffs responded with four runs in the home half of the sixth, highlighted by an RBI-single from Alexander Hero and a two-RBI double down the left field line by Nolan Stewart.

The Owls finished the game with 14 hits.  DiPrato, Longo, Bergstrom, Bisono, and Vita each had two hits in the game.

Keene State hosts Fitchburg State on Thursday (3:30 p.m.).