SPRINGFIELD, Mass.-Behind eight strong innings and a trio of hits from junior pitcher David Kerlejza (Unionville, Conn.), the American International College baseball team topped the Saint Rose Golden Knights 4-2 in a Northeast-10 contest at AIC Park.
The game went back and forth scoreless until the fifth when the Golden Knights led off with a ground rule double that they were able to bring in.

In the sixth, AIC's offense caught fire. Kerlejza led off with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball, and sophomore second baseman Brett Bohl (Ludlow, Mass.) drove him in from there. After freshman third baseman Justin Carey (Amherst, Mass.) and sophomore shortstop Eddie Ritch (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) walked, graduate catcher Dan Fenton (Agawam, Mass.) brought a run home when he reached on an error, allowing senior center fielder Dan Asselin (Chicopee, Mass.) to rip a two-run single.

Saint Rose hit back-to-back doubles in the seventh to bring the score to 4-2, but Kerlejza ended the threat after that, ending the day with eight innings of seven hit, five strikeout ball and no walks. Freshman pitcher Kevin Wnukowski (Douglas, Mass.) came in in the ninth to earn the save, allowing one hit but fanning two to finish the contest.

AIC returns to action Saturday, April 26 at 12:00 p.m. for the first game of a Northeast-10 doubleheader against the Pace Setters; the team will honor their seniors between the two games.