AUBURNDALE, Fla. – All-America outfielder Taylor Kohlwey's leadoff home run on the fifth pitch of the game proved to be the game-winner as the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse went on to a 10-0, seven-inning decision over Eastern Connecticut State University in college baseball Sunday afternoon at Lake Myrtle Park.

Playing its first game of the spring, La Crosse sent the Warriors to their fourth straight loss. In three Florida losses, Eastern pitching has allowed 12 runs in the first inning.

At left: Adam Merritt pitched two scoreless innings Sunday, extending his two-year streak to 28 without allowing an earned run.

All but one La Crosse starter had at least one hit in the Eagle's 15-hit attack against four Eastern pitchers, who surrendered six extra-base hits. Kohlwey and second baseman Travis Buxton both had three hits for La Crosse, which had a baserunner in every inning but one.

In addition Kohlwey's homer, shortstop Alex Cordova drove in two runs with a two-out single to make it 3-0 before the Warriors came to bat. Leading 5-0, UWL tacked on five runs in the seventh on six hits. No. 3 hitter Justin Anderson hit a two-run home run with one out to get the inning going and push the Eagles' lead to 7-0.

Senior righty Ben Cejka pitched a four-hitter through six innings to gain the win. He struck out seven -- including the side in the first – and although he hit three batters, he walked only one.

Eastern's only threat came in the bottom of the first when he loaded the  bases with two out by hitting senior No. 3 hitter Kyle Hartford (Guilford) and allowing singles to junior DH Andrew Scully (Stratford) and junior third baseman Chad Adams (Ware, MA). A swinging strikeout ended the inning.

After the first, Eastern managed only five baserunners off Cejka through the sixth: Hart walked with two out in the third, Adams singled to lead off the fourth but was stranded on third; No. 9 hitter Christian Budzik (Cromwell) and senior first baseman Corey Keane (Tolland) were hit by pitch in the fifth, but a foul fly ended the inning; and sophomore leftfielder Pat Sirois (Cromwell) singled with two out in the sixth.

Making his first appearance in two years, junior righty Sam Kosterich (Stamford) pitched into the fifth inning before giving way to All-New England junior righty Adam Merritt (Seymour) with two on and none out. Merritt pitched two hitless innings with two strikeouts.

Freshman middle infielder Mike Funaro (Northford) was robbed of a hit in his first official collegiate at-bat when Buxton ranged to his right, gloved the ground ball behind second base and threw out the runner by a step.

Eastern faces Babson College Monday at 9:05 a.m. at Auburndale.