FORT MYERS, Fla. - Graduate student Jake Montas (Ellington, Conn.) drove in the game-winning run to lead the Western Connecticut State University baseball team to an 8-7 victory over Saint Elizabeth University in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Eagles outlasted the Wolves in the opener, 13-11. 

Saint Elizabeth took a 4-0 lead early in Game One before WestConn struck back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to knot the count. Sophomore Nicholas Moeller (Mahopac, N.Y) drilled a shot over the left field wall before sophomore Riley McGuire (Monroe, Conn.) added another. Shortly thereafter, senior Christopher Ehlers (Norwalk, Conn.) roped a double down the left field line, pushing two runners across the plate to make it 4-4.

The Eagles regained the advantage, 7-4, with a trio of runs in the fifth. However, the Wolves battled back once again. This time senior Joe Gambino (Stamford, Conn.) ripped a double inside the right field line, sending a pair of runners home. Moments later, sophomore Spencer Barnett (Danbury, Conn.) smashed a two-run home run, scoring Gambino and recapturing the lead for WestConn, 8-7. 

Then it was Saint Elizabeth's turn to counter with yet another round-tripper, giving them a 13-8 lead in the top of the seventh. The Wolves would not go down quietly as they answered with three runs in the bottom half of the frame. Barnett added to his run scoring barrage as he drove in another runner before Ehlers plated a pair with a single, slicing the deficit to 13-11. WestConn had a chance to even it up but ended the contest with a groundout double play.

It was another exciting matchup in Game Two. The Eagles took a 6-0 lead heading into the sixth inning. But the Wolves retaliated with seven runs in the top of the inning to seize a 7-6 lead. It was a furious comeback highlighted by senior Hunter Loomis (Glastonbury, Conn.). With the bases full, he blasted a shot that sailed over the center field fence. 

Saint Elizabeth quickly answered with a run in the seventh, deadlocking the count at 7-7. However, senior Nick Lepere (Beacon, N.Y.) led off the eighth with a single before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Montas then knocked him in for the go-ahead run. WestConn senior reliever Pauly DiPaterio (Cortland Manor, N.Y.) collected three flyouts in the bottom half, sealing the Wolves win.

With the win, WestConn improved to 3-11 overall. They return to action against Defiance College tomorrow at 9 a.m. before concluding the spring trip in a rematch against Skidmore on Saturday.