Leary Paces Eagles Past Norwich in Finale, 11-2

Northfield, Vt. - The Daniel Webster College baseball team closed out the 2009 campaign in style Tuesday, topping Norwich University 11-2. With the victory, the Eagles finish with a record of 7-24. The loss drops Norwich to 3-26-1 with two games left to play.

Junior Rob Leary (Litchfield, N.H.) was the story for the Eagles all day, going six strong innings on the mound while posting a 3-4 effort at the plate, including two home runs. Rookie Kory Kiro (Goffstown, N.H.) went the final three innings on the mound to collect his first save of the season. Kiro also notched two hits and two RBI coming off the bench.

The DWC offense pounded out 16 hits on the day. Leary led the way launching two homers on his way to a 3-4, 6 RBI afternoon. Shortstop Nathan Marshall (Groveton, N.H.) put up a 3-for-5 effort, while Kiro and second baseman Mike Ahern (Bedford, Mass.) collected two hits apiece.

Leary held the Cadets offense to just five hits and two runs adding six strikeouts. Norwich catcher Rob Knox and right fielder Emilio Martinez each went 2-for-4, the Cadets managed seven hits on the day. Knox and centerfielder Sean Stone each drove in a run.

Kiro took over for Leary in the seventh inning and showed why he was named this week's NECC Pitcher of the Week, allowing two hits while striking out four in his three scoreless innings. David Wygonski suffered the loss for Norwich, allowing four runs in five innings.

Junior Nick Michaud (Windsor Locks, Conn.) finished the season as the Eagles leading hitter, posting a .358 mark. Leary led the team with five homers and 21 RBI. On the mound, Kiro led DWC in victories (4), strikeouts (52), and innings pitched (53.1). Another rookie, Kenny Martin (Brockton, Mass.), led the team in pitching appearances with 15.

Overall, the Eagles saw major improvements in several key team statistics in 2009. The Eagles team batting average rose to .276, up from .245 in 2008, while runs scored increased from 100 a year ago to 179, while the team earned run average dropped from 11.05 to 7.89. Most importantly the team saw it win total increase from four in 2008 to seven in 2009.