RELEASE DATE: 3/6/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CRONIN GOES THE DISTANCE IN 15-2 WIN OVER GANNON – MOUNTIES IMPROVE TO 7-1

FT. MYERS, FL – Senior John Cronin (Horseheads,NY/Horseheads) threw a complete game, scattering seven hits in leading Mansfield to a 15-2 win over Gannon University in an NCAA Division II game at Ft. Myers, FL Saturday morning.

Cronin upped his record to 2-0 on the season while striking out five and issuing just one walk.

He got plenty of help from his teammates who pounded out 16 hits while making no errors.

Cronin got all the support he would need when the Mounties scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and cruised on to their seventh victory in eight games.

Eric Baker (Apalachin,NY/Owego) led the offensive attack going 4-5 from the plate with a double and three rbi. Josh Rearick (Elton/Forest Hills) was 3-5 with a double and two rbi while Matt Mills (Clifton,VA/Centerville) was 3-4.

Mansfield improves to 7-1 overall while Gannon falls to 6-3. The Mountaineers face a stiff challenge when the face defending national champion Central Missouri State at noon on Sunday followed by a 4 p.m. game against West Liberty (WV).

Gannon                       000     100     1          2-7-3

Mansfield                   300     507     x          15-16-0

Gannon (6-3): Phil Gnacinski (L, 1-1), Matt Berkey (5), Brian Fiorisi (6) and Matt Miller

2b – Gnacinski          3b – Dustin Kitkiewicz                      HR – Nick Leslie

RBI – Leslie, Charlie D’Agostino

Mansfield (7-1): John Cronin (W, 2-0) and DJ Hoshauer, Scott Erickson (7)

2b – Josh Rearick, Erick Baker

RBI – Baker 3, Rearick 2, Hoshauer, Matt Mills, Stuart Sumner, Travis Wurster, Travis Lepperd