STANDISH, ME – Saint Joseph's (9-7) outlasted Husson University (11-8), 7-5, in a non-conference baseball contest at Larry Mahaney Diamond on Thursday night. Senior right fielder Todd Keneborus (Hollis Center, ME/Cheverus) went 3-4 with two runs and two RBI in the victory.

The Monks held a 7-0 lead after 3.1 innings of play, but Husson reliever Nathan Adams '12 (Frankfort, ME) shut the door with six strikeouts and just three hits allowed over the final 4.2 innings.

The Eagles fed off Adams' effort on the hill and got back into the game by way of the long ball with two home runs – a three-run jack off the bat of left fielder Kyle Vanidestine '12 (Bangor, ME) in the sixth and a solo tater from third baseman Jake Arthers '13 (Belfast, ME) in the seventh – to cut the SJC advantage to 7-5 after seven frames.

Fortunately, the Monks relief corps proved nearly as dominant. Tyler Laverriere '13 (Biddeford, ME), who collected his first NCAA win after surrendering five runs off eight hits and four walks with four K's, was lifted in favor of Kevin Chamberlain '11 (Scarborough, ME) before the start of the seventh. Chamberlain, Sean Drake '13 (Lebanon, NH) and Joe Gruntkosky '14 (Peabody, MA), who netted his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth, combined to allow one run off two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in three frames of work to preserve the victory.

For the Monks, first baseman Mike Pratt '13 (Dartmouth, MA) went 2-4 with two runs, a double and an RBI and Brandon Chase '13 (Naples, ME) was 2-2 with a stolen base in the triumph. Freshman catcher Alex Lorenc (Nanuet, NY) recorded a two-run double and shortstop Dan Achorn '12 (Bow, NH) enjoyed a fantastic game with the glove with seven assists defensively.

Center fielder Tom Crews '12 (Bangor, ME), with a 2-4 effort at the plate, was the Eagles' lone repeat hitter in the setback. Arthers drove in a pair of runs for the visitors.

Husson starting pitcher Dan Beatham '11 (Dexter, ME) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and three walks in 3.1 innings.

With the win, Saint Joseph's improves to 60-33 in the history of the series with Husson. The Monks, winners of seven straight games, have now defeated the Eagles in seven consecutive meetings dating back to the 2007 campaign.

St. Joe's will play a doubleheader at Albertus Magnus College on Saturday (1:00 PM) in the 2011 GNAC opener for both teams. Husson will host conference-rival Castleton State in a twinbill on Saturday (12:00 PM).