WESTFIELD, Mass. – Justin Neidel hit a bases-clearing double with one out in the bottom of the ninth to cap a comeback from six runs down in the final two innings as Westfield State University extended the Keene State College baseball team's late-inning woes with an 8-7 win on Wednesday afternoon at Bud and Jim Hagan Field.

Records

• Keene State:  4-10
• Westfield State:  10-3

How It Happened
The Owls carried a 7-1 advantage into the eighth inning after three straight walks, two hit batters, and a two-run single from Otis Follet in the seventh, but for the second time in as many games could not close the deal as an opponent stole a win on their home field.  Monday, KSC led 6-2 entering the bottom of the eighth at Babson College following a three-run top half of the inning but saw the Beavers answer with five in their trip to the plate.  The loss spoiled a solid start from Jake Jachym.  Today, the Owl pitchers worked out of trouble a fair amount, stranding 12 runners in the first seven innings and only allowing a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth that made it 1-1.  However, the late outs were elusive.  KSC began the bottom of the eighth with an error and then saw consecutive doubles follow as Westfield made it 7-3.  A hit batter and single to center sandwiched between a flyout helped produce another run, and the fourth of the frame came in later on a wild pitch as WSU got within 7-5.  Daniel Cantafi relieved Dylan Ellison before the wild pitch, and struck out Nolan Florence and got Alex Martin to foul out to third and avoid further damage.

After Keene State went down in order in the top of the ninth, the bottom half also proved problematic for the Owls.  The inning began with a walk to John Bessette and a single from pinch-hitter Thomas LaSpada to force a pitching change and KSC's sixth pitcher of the day.  Facing Sean Brennan, Robison Guerrero Baez chopped a ball back to the mound and reached on an infield single to load the bases and put the potential winning run on first.  Brennan got the first out of the inning when Sam Palmer's fielder's choice cut down the lead runner and kept it 7-5, but Neidel followed by pulling a double into right, clearing the bases and giving Westfield an improbable win.

Despite going just 2-for-10 with runners on base and finishing with six hits, KSC led for most of the way, taking a 3-1 lead in the fifth on Hamilton Barnes' single in front of the plate that was thrown away by catcher John Nickerson.  The runs answered after Westfield had tied the game in the previous half inning.  The Owls then scored four times in the top of the seventh to expand the lead as Sean McNamara struggled, walking Barnes, Brendan Eaton, and Shea Zina consecutively before plunking Lucas Rogers and Emmett Borenstein to make it 5-1.  Follet followed with a second clutch hit in as many games, again to the opposite field, as he made it a six-run game with a two-run single.
Jack Lang got the start for Keene State and allowed four hits and one run over three innings.  He walked one and struck out three.  Cali and Troy Brennan followed by allowing just one hit and one walk combined over following three innings to keep the Owls in front 3-1 through six.  Sean Brennan (0-1) took the loss, allowing a run and two hits in the ninth.

Dominic Novio (1-0) got the win after a scoreless ninth with one strikeout that seemed inconsequential at the time.  Ryan Donahue started and allowed five hits and three runs (none earned) over six innings.  He walked four and struck out nine.  Westfield pitching overall had 12 strikeouts.

Tommy Ahlers finished 2-for-4 with a walk for KSC, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.

Palmer and Neidel combined to drive in five runs out of the top two spots in Westfield's order.

Around the Horn

• It was just KSC's fifth loss in 20 all-time meetings against Westfield.  They had won seven of nine on the road in the series entering the day.
• The Owls have been outscored 24-7 in the eighth inning on the season and are 2-3 when leading after seven innings.
• KSC has dropped all five one-run games this season.
• Ahlers continues to lead the team with a .379 average and 15 RBI.

Up Next

• Keene State opens Little East Conference play with a doubleheader at Rhode Island College (7-3) that has been rescheduled for Friday (March 22) at 12:00 p.m.  The Anchormen have won five straight.
• After their Thursday game at the University of Hartford was postponed, Westfield visits Trinity College (Conn.) (3-6) on Tuesday, March 26 at 3:30 p.m.