Springfield, Mass. – April 15, 2011 – Karl Quist singled to drive in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning to lead Springfield College to a 9-8 victory over Coast Guard Academy in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference game at SC’s Berry-Allen Field this afternoon.

With the win, Springfield halted a five-game losing streak to up its record to 10-17 overall, 4-12 in the NEWMAC. Coast Guard is now 17-13 overall, and 7-9 in the league.

Mike McGowan, who went 4-for-6 and scored four runs on the day, led off the 10th with a double to right-center field. He was sacrificed to third. After John Schmaltz was intentionally walked, the next batter grounded out to the pitcher, with Schmaltz advancing to second.

Quist then singled, scoring McGowan, to win it for the Pride.

Down 8-6, Coast Guard had scored two runs in the top of the ninth to tie it. After a ground-out, Eddie Kalankiewicz singled to left. Tyler Babkiewich then reached on an error. The runners moved up on a double steal, with one run scoring on an error by the catcher. After a walk, Ed Sella struck out for the second out. Nolan Gallagher then singled, scoring Babkiewich to tie it.

For the Pride, besides McGowan’s four hits, two others managed three hits. They were Schmaltz, who went 3-for-4, and Mike Tanguay, who went 3-for-5. SC finished with 14 hits all told.

For the Bears, five different players contributed two hits each to their total of 11. They were Joe Petry, Kalankiewicz, Babkiewicz, Gallagher, and Dave Wolinski.

Travis Lane, who pitched the 10th inning, got credit for the victory, his first as a collegian. He is now 1-2. He gave up one hit

Riley Beecher, who pitched the final 3 2/3 innings, took the loss and is now 2-3. He gave up just one run on five hits, walking two and striking out one.

Mark Grant pitched the first nine innings for the hosts. He gave up eight runs on 10 hits. But only two of those runs were earned.

Nate Toll hurled the first six innings for the visitors, giving up eight runs on nine hits. Only four of those runs were earned.

Tomorrow (Saturday), SC plays at Coast Guard in a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon.