BASEBALL STAVES OFF ELIMINATION TWICE
TO ADVANCE TO NECC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

 BENNINGTON, VT, May 2, 2009 - Freshman pitcher Zach LeBarron (Bennington, VT) threw seven strong innings to help second-seeded Elms College stave off elimination with a 12-3 win over No. 4 Mitchell, and the Blazers then defeated top-seeded Southern Vermont, 10-8 in the second day of the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Baseball Championship on Saturday at Epstein Field.

Elms College (18-18) now advances to Sunday's 11:00 a.m. conference title game to face No. 3 Becker (16-14-1), which defeated No. 1 Southern Vermont, 11-4 in the winner's bracket game.

To claim the conference championship, the Blazers will need to defeat the Hawks twice on Sunday. Becker heads into Sunday's 11:00 a.m. title game unbeaten.

In Elms College's first elimination game of the day, LeBarron pitched seven strong innings for the win, as he struck out three and walked just one.

Sophomore second baseman Brendan Cordeiro (Berkley, MA) and freshman outfielder Zach Cerra (South Windsor, CT) each had three hits for the Blazers. Freshman third baseman Nicolino Iavicoli (Hampden, MA), sophomore first baseman Albert Betances (Haverhill, MA), and Cerra each had two RBI. Betances and Cerra each homered in the victory.

In the Blazers second elimination game of the day, Cordeiro went 4 for 6 with two runs scored, while junior pitcher Mike Bieber (Wading River, NY) got the win on the mound, as he struck out seven in five innings of work.

2009 NECC BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
First Round
Friday, May 1
Game 1 - Southern Vermont defeats Mitchell, 11-10
Game 2 - Becker defeats Elms College, 10-1

Semifinals
Saturday, May 2
Game 3 - Elms College defeats Mitchell, 12-3
Game 4 - Becker defeats Southern Vermont, 11-4
Game 5 - Elms College defeats Southern Vermont, 10-8

Championship
Sunday, May 3
Game 6 - No. 3 Becker (16-14-1) vs. No. 2 Elms College (18-18)
Game 7 - If necessary,  3:00 p.m.