MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Senior Al Stanton (Sandwich, Mass.) and junior Bryan Toland (Wildwood, N.J.) each knocked in a pair of runs as Southern New Hampshire University downed Caldwell College 7-2 in non-conference baseball action at the Northeast Challenge Thursday evening.  The game marked the season opener for both schools.

Stanton finished 2-4 at the plate with a double, while Toland knocked in both of his runs on a double in the eighth inning.  Junior Michael Mastroberti (Ramsey, N.J.) led Southern New Hampshire with three hits, all singles, while also knocking in a run in a four-run eighth.  Freshman Manny Cruz (Wolcott, Conn.) also had two hits for Southern New Hampshire.

Freshman Mike Robert (Nashua, N.H.) picked up the win on the mound for the Penmen after tossing three innings of relief, striking out five and allowing one unearned run.  Senior David Gibson (Hanover, Mass.) started and went four innings, allowing two hits and a run while striking out six and walking four.  Sophomore Ian Searles (Wareham, Mass.) and senior Anthony Aceto (North Providence, R.I.) each threw an inning of hitless relief, striking out two batters apiece.

The Penmen got on the board in the top of the first as Brendan O'Brien (East Bridgewater, Mass.) led off with a single and after stealing second, scored on a two-out double by Stanton.  Southern New Hampshire scored twice in the third, with a Cruz double bringing home O'Brien after he worked a leadoff walk.  Stanton knocked in Cruz with a single to make it 3-0.

Caldwell grabbed single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to make it 3-2, but the Penmen scored four times in the top of the eighth to take a 7-2 lead.  Cruz led off with a single and eventually scored on a double by junior Tyler Fortanascio (Oradell, N.J.).  Toland's double scored Stanton, who was intentionally walked, and Fortanascio, with Toland later scoring on a Mastroberti single.

Southern New Hampshire outhit Caldwell 11-3 on the evening.

The Penmen return to action twice in the Northeast Challenge on Friday, facing Felician College at 3:00 and Pfeiffer University at 6:00.

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