AUBURN, N.Y – In game three of the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship, Auburn, N.Y. Regional, #3 seed Keystone College (22-4) battled it out in a pitcher's duel early on against #4 seed Mitchell College, before the Giants offense took over, scoring six runs between the seventh and eighth innings to top the Mariners (25-8), 7-1.
 
Over the first three innings, both teams were only able to muster two hits apiece, while stranding two runners at second base per side.
 
In the top of the fourth, Mitchell opened the scoring thanks to an RBI double by Anthony Diaz to make it 1-0.
 
The Giants responded immediately in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game 1-1 with an RBI single from senior Larry Sims (Winona, MISS.).
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Keystone threatened with a leadoff double by freshman Bobby Pokorney (Margate, Fla./J.P. Taravella), followed by a walk of sophomore Julio Acosta (Elizabeth, N.J./Hudson Catholic). Unfortunately, Mitchell was able to shut the door setting down the next three in order.
 
The Mariners had a similar opportunity in the top of the sixth, getting runners on first and second with no outs. After a sacrifice bunt to put both runners in scoring position, Rowley forced a foul out and then delivered a strikeout to strand the runners.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Keystone finally broke through, scoring three runs in the inning, all with two outs.
 
The Giants took a 2-1 lead thanks to a wild pitch, then followed up with an RBI single by junior Vince Montone (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) and a triple by senior Adam Kelly (Beach Lake, Pa./Honesdale) to take a 4-1 lead.
 
Keystone added to its lead, making it 7-1, scoring three more runs in the eighth inning.
 
Junior RJ Gouldsbury (Throop, Pa./Mid Valley) and Sims made the lead 6-1, hitting back-to-back home runs to open the frame. Montone then drove in his second run of the game with his second RBI single.
 
Senior Jared Rowley (Dover, Del./Dover) got the nod for the Giants in their opening game of the regional and threw eight strong innings, allowing one run, six hits, two walks and struck out 11.
 
Freshman Nick Gravel (Sidney, N.Y.) punctuated the contest throwing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out two.
 
Roland Thivierge took the loss for the Mariners, allowing five runs, nine hits, four walks and striking out 11 in seven innings of work.
 
Kenny Heon and Derek Dascoulias combined for an inning in relief, allowing two runs, two hits, three walks and one strikeout.
 
Offensively, Acosta (2-for-2, 3 BB), Sims (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Montone (2-for-3, 2 RBI) all had a multi-hit game for the Giants, while five others contributed a hit.
 
With the victory, Keystone now moves on to play in game six of the regional tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. The opponent awaiting the Giants is #5 seed Tufts, who defeated #2 seed SUNY Cortland, 21-17 in a slugfest.