AUBURNDALE, Fla. –Eastern Connecticut State University senior third baseman Chad Adams (Ware, MA) tied the game with a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning, then ended the game with a two-run home run in the ninth in an 8-6 baseball victory over Benedictine University Tuesday morning at Lake Myrtle Park.

Ranked fourth in New England, Eastern (7-2) carried a two-run lead into the seventh before Benedictine (4-3) surged ahead, 6-5, by scoring three unearned runs thanks in part to a two-out infield error.

Eastern tied the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh with the help of two errors and Adam's two-run single which plated No. 9 hitter Pat Sirois (Cromwell). With one out in the ninth, freshman Alexander White (West Hartford) delivered his third hit of the game, and Adams followed with his third hit of the game (raising his average to .400) and second home run of the season – a drove over the fence in right-center field.

Sophomore lefty Jacob Smith (East Longmeadow, MA) and freshman righty Jordan Muchin (West Hartford) combined on a seven-hitter, with Muchin (2-0) allowing one hit in 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Jordan took over for Smith – who made his first start since opening day – while the Eagles were scoring three unearned runs in the seventh. Muchin gave up a two-run single but ended the inning without further damage with an outfield fly ball.

The Warriors took a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the first on White's out-single, an RBI  double by Adams, and the first home runs of the season from sophomore first baseman D.J. Scavone (Auburn, MA) – a two-run blast -- and junior Alex Zachary (Enfield) – a two-out solo shot.

 Smith allowed three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings while fanning six and walking two.

Benedictine sophomore Brandon Gipson had three hits and drove in two runs and freshman No. 9 hitter Frank Greco drove in two runs and scored two. His first career home run was a two-run blast in the fifth which cut Eastern's early four-run lead in half.

Eastern faces the University of Maine at Farmington Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Lake Myrtle Park.