For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 10, 2007

EASTERN BASEBALL ADVANCES IN LITTLE EAST TOURNAMENT

Warriors score five runs in first on way to 10-2 victory over Rhode Island College

MANSFIELD, Conn.–Sophomore left-handed pitcher Shawn Gilblair (WINDHAM, CT) pitched a complete-game, eight-hitter as the top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University baseball team shut out fourth-seeded Rhode Island College, 10-2, in a second-round Little East Conference Baseball Tournament game Thursday at the Eastern Baseball Stadium.

The Warriors (32-9) have won 20 consecutive games against Little East Conference opponents dating back to the 2006 Little East Conference Baseball Tournament. This year, Eastern Connecticut was the first team to have an undefeated Little East Conference regular season (14-0). The Warriors are ranked No. 11 nationally and first in New England.

Eastern Connecticut State University plays the winner of tonight’s Keene State College vs. Southern Maine game at noon Friday.

RIC (21-14) was the second team to be eliminated from the six-team, double-elimination tournament. The Anchormen lost a 9-8 first-round game to Southern Maine Wednesday night. Rhode Island College won the 2005 Little East Conference Tournament, the last time Eastern Connecticut hosted.

Gilblair (9-1) allowed two runs (one earned) and one walk in a 108-pitch outing (74 strikes). He struck out five to increase his team-leading total to 67. Gilblair is 17-2 in his career and remains undefeated in 17 decisions against LEC opponents.

ECSU senior center fielder Randy Re (DANBURY, CT) and senior catcher Matt Cooney (ARLINGTON, MA) each went 3-for-5. Re scored runs in the first and seventh innings. Sophomore first baseman Tristan Hobbes (UTICA, NY) and junior second baseman Zack Thomas (EAST HADDAM, CT) each totaled two RBIs.

The Warriors built a 5-0 lead in the top of the first. Gilblair, Hobbes, Thomas and senior left fielder Eric O’Toole (WATERBURY, CT) had RBI singles in the inning.

In the top of the seventh, ECSU increased its lead to 9-0. Freshman shortstop Melvin Castillo (DANBURY, CT) and junior pinch-hitter Matt Riemer (ELLINGTON, CT) had RBI singles, Cooney an RBI double and Thomas an RBI suicide squeeze bunt in the inning.

Every Eastern Connecticut State University starter had at least one hit.

RIC junior first baseman Jim Connell (SMITHFIELD, RI) broke up Gilblair’s shutout with a two-run home run to left center in the ninth. It was Connell’s second home run of the tournament and fourth of the season. Connell, senior catcher Tim Henault (EAST GREENWICH, RI) and senior Luis Feliz (CRANSTON, RI) each recorded two hits.

Rhode Island College freshman left-handed pitcher Robert Germane (BARRINGTON, RI) went six innings, allowing seven runs, 12 hits and two walks. Germane (5-3) struck out five. Junior right-hander Evan Grogan (EAST LYME, CT), a transfer from Manchester Community College, pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning.

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