HARWICH, Mass. -- Western New England blanked Bridgewater State, 9-0, on Sunday in the title game of the 2011 NCAA Division III New England Regional Baseball Championship at Whitehouse Field. This marks the Golden Bears' first-ever regional championship in eight trips.
No. 2 seed Western New England, nationally ranked at No. 25 in the coaches' poll, improved its overall record to 42-9 which includes a perfect 4-0 mark at the regional. Eighth-seeded Bridgewater State, making its first regional final appearance since 2004 and sixth overall, finishes the season at 26-17.
Kevin Jefferis improved to 4-3 for Western New England, pitching 7-1/3 innings. He struck out eight, walked four and scattered seven hits before giving way to Mike Lawlor in the eighth. Lawlor worked the final 1-2/3 innings to retire all five batters he faced with two strikeouts.
The Golden Bears got all the offense they needed with five runs in the bottom of the first inning, sending 10 men to the plate. Tony Trubia and Mike Rubino hit back-to-back RBI singles to ignite the rally and Andrew Fatse capped it with a two-run single to right field.
Bridgewater had chances to score in the first and fifth, but left two runners on base in each frame. The Bears left 11 for the game. David Pierce, Tyler Dennis, Ian Williams, Dave Billotte, Keane Costa and John Garabedian all registered a hit.
Western New England banged out 15 hits led by Tim Clark with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate, including a double. Matt Anthonis had three hits, including RBI singles in the third and seventh. Kyle McKelvey chipped in two hits.
The New England Regional All-Tournament Team: C – Dan Gusovsky, So. (Wheaton); 1B – David Pierce, So. (Bridgewater State); 2B – Tim Clark, So. (Western New England); 3B – J.P. Stone, Sr. (Rhode Island College); SS – Kyle McKelvey, So. (Western New England); OF – Hadi Raad, Sr. (Wheaton); OF – Eric Laliberte, Sr. (Wheaton); OF – Andrew Fatse, Sr. (Western New England); P – Jeff Puopolo, Sr. (Bridgewater State); P – Zach Cloft, Jr. (Western New England); Utility – Corey Batista, Jr. (Bridgewater State)