SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (courtesy WNEC sports info) – Sophomore designated hitter Joe Griglun (Southington, CT) went 5-for-5 with three RBI and two stolen bases as the Western New England College baseball rallied for an exciting 9-8 victory over visiting Brandeis University in a non-league game Friday afternoon (Apr. 18) at Trelease Park.

Junior center-fielder Chris Newell (Wallingford, CT) had another big game with a pair of singles, three RBI, and an important stolen base in the deciding inning as the Golden Bears improved their record to 20-8. The Judges fall to 12-11 on the campaign.

Western New England College trailed 7-5 before scoring four times in the eighth with RBI singles by senior first baseman Travis Schwamb (West Springfield, MA) and senior shortstop Ryan Kravontka (Glastonbury, CT) among the key hits.

The Bears used five different pitchers to pick up the win. Freshman Rick Simonsen (Storrs, CT), who had pitched only one inning in his only appearance this spring, went the final two innings and gave up two hits and a run for his first collegiate victory.

The Judges’ pulled within a run in the final inning and had runners on first and third when WNEC freshman third baseman Tony Trubia (Tolland, CT) made a nice play on a hard-hit ball and threw to second for the force-out and final out.

Western New England College finished with 17 hits as junior rightfielder Steve Kearney (Glastonbury, CT) went 3-for-3 with a sacrifice. Sophomore catcher Tyler Montrone (Wilton, CT) made a nice contribution with two hits, a run, and RBI in only his third start of the season.

Freshman designated hitter Pat Nicholson (East Walpole, MA) had three hits, two runs, and an RBI for the visitors. He took the mound in relief in the eighth and came away with the loss after allowing three runs (only one earned).

Senior shortstop Malcolm Cone-Coleman (Portland, ME) and junior first baseman Nick Gallagher (Southboro, MA) each had two hits and a pair of RBI. Sophomore catcher Artie Posch (Hopedale, MA) also had two hits and scored twice. With the loss, Brandeis fell to 3-6 this season in one-run games.

Western New England College got within 7-5 with two runs in the seventh and only a great catch by Brandeis freshman leftfielder Tony Deshler (Pepperell, MA) on a liner by Trupia that ended the inning prevented the tying runs from scoring.