VERO BEACH, Fla. - Senior right-handed pitcher Kyle Brelling (Bethel, Conn.) struck out 12 batters and classmate outfielder Max Gregory (Jewitt City, Conn.) knocked in four RBI's to lead the Western Connecticut State University baseball team to a 9-1 season opening victory over Gettysburg College in Florida on Saturday.

After escaping from a bases loaded jam with no outs in the top of the first, Brelling tossed six solid innings while striking out 12 batters to earn the win. Gregory finished the day with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate which included a towering opposite field blast that broke the game wide-open in the second frame. 

WestConn senior catcher Zach Edwards (Seymour, Conn.) and juniors Joe Gambino (Stamford, Conn.) and Christopher Ehlers (Norwalk, Conn.) added two hits apiece in the win.

Brelling allowed his only run of the contest in the opening stanza when he allowed an RBI single before rallying to strike out the side. 

WestConn erupted for seven runs in the second, highlighted by Gregory's three-run shot to put the squad ahead for good. 

They would plate another pair of runs in the fourth. Ehlers ripped a triple to score Edwards, who led off the frame with a single. Moments later, Gregory drilled a single to score Ehlers and round the count out at 9-1. Heavy rains arrived at the conclusion of the contest that resulted in Game Two of the twin bill being canceled. 

With the victory, WestConn improved to 1-0 overall, while Gettysburg dropped to 3-6. Next up for WCSU on their Florida trip is Washington College (Maryland). First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for Sunday at Noon.