Worcester, Mass. – Adam Chochrek (Foxboro, Mass.) blasted a two-run homer to highlight a four-run seventh inning as host Clark University rallied for an 8-4 win over Coast Guard in the first game of a critical three-game New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) baseball series.

The win for the Cougars is not only their fifth in a row but pushes their overall record to 17-18, setting a new school mark for wins in a single season – the first year of the J.P. Pyne era. It also inches the Scarlet and White closer to their first berth in the conference postseason tournament since the 2010 season.

For the Bears, meanwhile, they slip to 14-19 overall and 6-9 in league play and must now sweep tomorrow's doubleheader with the Cougars to get the final postseason spot while Clark just needs to split.

Following a one hour and 25 minute rain delay, the Clark exploded for four runs in the seventh on a two-run triple by Michael Eglow (Delmar, N.Y.), which set the stage for Chochrek's second homerun in as many games – this one a blast to center that gave the Cougars a 7-2 edge.

Coast Guard actually struck first in the game, getting two in the second on a two-run bomb by Timbo Duncan.

Bear starter Eric Vrissis was cruising allowing just two hits through the first four innings before Clark scored three unearned runs in the fifth.

A throwing error followed by singles by sophomores Teddy Downing (Cambridge, Mass.) and Kyle Bonicki (Waterbury, Conn.) loaded the bases with one out. David Eschen (New York, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch to get Clark on the board and RBI fielder's choice by James Conway (Newburyport, Mass.) tied the game before an RBI double by Eglow gave Clark a 3-2 lead.

Coast Guard got a pair of runs in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Wood and an RBI ground out by Will Stephens to cut the deficit to 7-4.

Clark added an insurance run in the eighth on an RBI single by Conway – the 100th hit of his standout career - to close the scoring.

The Bears threatened in the ninth, but left runners on second and third as Brett O'Keefe (Brighton, Mass.) came on and retired the final two batters for his fourth save of the season.

Cougar starter Mike Tice (Chelmsford, Mass.) improved to 6-0 with the win, going 5.1 innings and allowing six hits and pair of earned runs. Of the three pitchers in the conference with six wins, Tice is the only one to not have suffered a loss this season.

Vrissis (0-5) was the tough luck loser as he went six innings allowing six hits, three runs, all unearned, with two walks and a strikeout.

Bonicki, Eglow and Chochrek each had two hits in the win for Clark.

Senior Mark Behne had a pair of doubles while sophomore Alex Murdoch added a pair of hits for the Bears.

The teams complete the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader at Coast Guard beginning at noon.