April 7, 2004 

AMHERST, MA - The Amherst College baseball team dropped a 5-2 non-conference decision to sixth-ranked Eastern Connecticut State University (14-5) on Wednesday, as senior second baseman Eugene Julien (Brockton, MA) singled twice, stole five bases and scored a run for the visiting Warriors. Amherst starter Andy Kerns (Barrington, IL) surrendered four earned runs in four complete innings to take the loss, falling to 1-3. 

Amherst rookie DH Jared Banner (Brooklyn, NY) doubled twice and scored a run, while senior second baseman Brandon Cody (Boston, MA) plated both Amherst runs with a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning. Junior leftfielder David Powers (Andover, MA) singled twice for the Jeffs in defeat. Sophomore Joe Vladeck (Washington, DC) pitched four hitless innings in relief of Kerns before junior reliever Ed Imperatore (Tenafly, NJ) pitched a scoreless ninth. 

Eastern Connecticut scattered nine hits, all singles, and left eight runners on base, but compensated by stealing nine bases in as many attempts. Sophomore first baseman Chris DeSantis (Shrewsbury, MA) was the only other Warrior besides Julien to finish with two hits. Senior starter Michael Maruska (Narragansett, RI) improved to 2-2 with the win, striking out five and surrendering seven hits and both Amherst runs before giving way to junior Ben O'Brien (Montville, CT) in the seventh. O'Brien was perfect in 2 1/3 innings, earning his first save of the season. 

Amherst (7-8) returns to action with a non-league twinbill Saturday at noon against visiting Bowdoin College. 

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