NEWPORT, R.I.--A return trip to the Ocean State was not as successful for the Keene State College baseball team, who fell to Salve Regina University 7-3 at Reynolds Field on Sunday afternoon.

Records

• Keene State: 7-7
• Salve Regina: 10-2

How It Happened

The Owls were limited to seven hits.  Freshman Andrew Houde (2-4) made his first career start and struck out three in six innings of work.  Sophomore Brandon Heath tossed the final two innings with a pair of punchouts.

Mac Struthers and John Tarascio each had a pair of hits, and Connor Longley hit his first home run of the season.

The Seahawks took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Dylan Ketch.  Salve Regina added single runs in the third and fourth innings, and made it 5-0 in the on a 2-RBI double from John Militano.  The lead increased to 7-0 in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single from Hunter Sleeper and a fielder's choice off the bat of Militano.

The Owls put up three runs in the top of the ninth.  Designated hitter Christian Bourgea drew a one-out walk, and moved all the way to third on a wild pitch and a groundout before scoring on John Tarascio's single to left.   Longley followed with a two-run shot to left field, but Tom Meucci flied out to left to end the game.

Patrick Maybach (2-0) struck out 10 in seven innings to pick up the win for Salve Regina.

Around the Horn

• Longley's homer was the first for the Owls this season, and third of his career.  He and Tarascio are tied for third on the team with eight RBI each.
• Houde had made seven relief appearances before moving into the starter's role.
• Keene State is now 1-2 against schools from Rhode Island, with a defeat to Roger Williams University in Florida, and yesterday's win over Johnson & Wales.  The Owls will return to the nation's smallest state this weekend for an LEC twinbill against Rhode Island College.

Up Next

• Keene State remains on the road, heading to Trinity College (CT) on March 28 at 3:30 p.m.
• Salve Regina hosts Framingham State on March 29 at 3:30 p.m.