Release courtesy of Swarthmore Athletic Communications

ROCHESTER, NY - The Swarthmore College baseball team dropped a tightly-contested battle versus the top team in the nation Eastern Connecticut State University, 10-7, in the opening game of the NCAA Regional.

The Garnet overcame an early deficit, but fell just short of out-slugging the high-powered Warrior offense. Austin Burgess went 3-for-5 on the afternoon with a home run and three RBI, while Nate Jbara also slugged a solo blast in the contest.

Burgess extended his on-base streak to 30 games, while Luke Mutz added a pair of hits to extend his on-base streak to 26 games. Mutz has also recorded a hit in 25 of his last 26 games. The Centennial Player of the Year has an active 12 game hit streak and has recorded two or more hits in six straight.

HOW IT HAPPENED 
- The Warriors plated its first two batters of the contest with a two-run homer in the first inning. Swarthmore then settled in with four runs in the third inning. Andrew Olsen and Max Roffwarg started the rally with consecutive singles, while Mutz doubled home the team's first run in the following at bat. Burgess then launched a home run to left field to clear the bases as the Garnet took a three-run advantage, 4-2.

- Berry began to settle down as he tossed a scoreless second and third inning for the Garnet. Jbara then added some cushion to the team's lead with a solo shot to open the fourth inning, 5-2. 

- Eastern Connecticut chipped away with a solo home run in the fourth inning. The Warriors then added a three-run shot in the fifth to regain the lead, 6-5.

- After the Warriors added on with three more in the sixth, the Garnet cut its deficit in half with a pair of runs in the eighth. Matthew Silvestre singled in the first run, while Michael Sepe plated another runner on a sacrifice fly. The Garnet came inches away from tying the game when Jbara drove a fly ball to the edge of the warning track in center field, 9-7. 

GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
- Burgess: 3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, SB
- Mutz: 2-for-5, RBI, R, 2B
- Jbara: 1-for-4, HR

UP NEXT
The Garnet will play the loser of Middlebury and Rochester on Saturday at 11 am.