WNEC baseball makes history, earns trip to D-III College World Series

SPRINGFIELD — It was the biggest day in the history of the Western New England baseball program.

Sophomore Kevin Jefferis pitched seven-and-a-third scoreless innings and sophomore second baseman Tim Clark of West Springfield had four hits as the second-seeded Golden Bears blanked eighth-seeded Bridgewater State (BSU) 9-0 to win its first-ever NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship on May 22 at Whitehouse Field.

Western New England (42-9) now advances to the Division III College World Series to meet New York Regional champion Keystone College of Pennsylvania (36-10) in a first-round contest at 8:45 p.m. on May 27 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Clark, who had seven hits in the tournament, was named the regional Most Outstanding Player.

Western New England started fast by scoring five runs in the first inning while knocking out BSU junior ace Corey Batista who started despite getting injured playing shortstop turning a double play Saturday in a 6-3 win over Wheaton.

Batista (7-3) made a gallant effort returning to the lineup, but retired only two batters while giving up six hits.

He then played third baseman and shortstop before leaving the game in the top of the fourth inning.

Senior third baseman Tony Trubia, sophomore third baseman Mike Rubino, and senior center-fielder Andrew Fatse of Hampden each had RBI singles in the opening frame. Junior first baseman Mike Taylor knocked in the last two runs with a base hit.

Western New England built its lead to 7-0 in the third following a pair of run-scoring singles by sophomore right-fielder Matt Anthonis and Clark.

The Golden Bears added a run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Trubia and its final run in the seventh on a run-scoring single by Anthonis who finished with three hits, two RBI, and a run scored.

Sophomore shortstop Kyle McKelvey also collected two singles and scored once as Western New England pounded out 15 hits off four BSU pitchers.

Jefferis, who made his last start May 7 against Wentworth in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Championship, allowed seven hits, walked four, and fanned eight in raising his record to 4-3. Junior relief pitcher Mike Lawlor struck out two and didn't permit a hit in getting the final five outs.

Clark, McKelvey, Fatse, and senior pitcher Zach made the All-Tournament Team.

BSU had runners on base in seven innings, but stranded 11 on base.

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