Leone leads Skyhawks to 5-4 decision against Seahawks

NEWPORT, R.I. - Senior Gerald Leone [Cataumet, Mass.] picked up two wins and contributed to two points as Stonehill College men's tennis defeated Salve Regina University, 5-4, in a non-league cross-divisional meeting between the two schools.

The Seahawks earned the first point as senior co-captains Andrew Martin [Glastonbury, Conn.] and Steve Masso [No. Scituate, R.I.] won at No. 1 doubles, 8-2. Martin would finish the day with two wins as he defeated his former Glastonbury High School teammate Tim Fayed [Glastonbury, Conn.] in three sets at No. 1 singles.

The Skyhawks had the match clinched by then after taking two of three doubles matches and splitting six singles matches. Leone and his No. 2 doubles partner Jonathan Burke [Wakefield, R.I.] overcame a 5-2 deficit to win 8-6 against Zachary Rosenfeld [Easton, Conn.] and Chad Strong [San Diego, Calif.]. Leone won his No. 3 singles match with Rosenfeld in straight sets. Meanwhile, Strong rebounded for a straight-set win at No. 4 singles against Burke.

After trailing 5-2 at No. 3 doubles, the Salve Regina pair of Brian Castrichini [Winchester, Mass.] and Aaron Isch [Tolland, Conn.] won four straight games to take the lead. But Aaron Bergeron [Gorham, Maine] and Chris Martin [Darien, Conn.] won the final three games to knot the team score at 1-1. Isch won the battle of Aarons in singles play, taking a 7-5,6-0 decision at No. 6 singles.

"This was a great test for us and great preparation for our conference schedule," said Seahawk head coach Joe Heckley. "After four solid matches in Florida, we enjoyed the sunny and warm conditions here in New England."

Salve Regina (2-6) hosts Regis College on Wednesday in its first The Commonwealth Coast Conference match of the season. Stonehill (4-4) evened its record before playing at Northeast-10 foe LeMoyne College on Sunday (11 a.m.).