BRISTOL, R.I. – Aaron Isch (Tolland, Conn.) broke a 4-4 tie in the final match of the day as third-seeded Salve Regina University defeated the top-seeded Roger Williams University Men's Tennis team to claim the 2010 Commonwealth Coast Conference Men's Tennis Championship.

Isch and the Hawks' Jason Pacino (North Reading, Mass.) battled back and forth at #5 singles, with Pacino winning the first set 6-3 before Isch was able to take the second set 6-2. Isch was ultimately able to come away with the deciding 6-1 set to clinch the championship for the Seahawks.

Salve Regina entered singles play with a 2-1 lead after winning first and second doubles. Andrew Martin (Glastonbury, Conn.) and Steve Masso (North Scituate, R.I.) claimed #1 8-5 over David Lange (Great Neck, N.Y.) and Dan Kleitz (Wethersfield, Conn.), while Chad Strong (San Diego, Calif.) and Zachary Rosenfield (Easton, Conn.) defeated Kevin Erikson (Tolland, Conn.) and Nicholas Hawvermale (Bethlehem, Conn.) 8-6 at #2. Pacino and Jeff DeNunzio (Barrington, R.I.) prevented the sweep by taking third double 8-3 over Isch and Brian Castrichini (Winchester, Mass.).

Kyle Baker (Bolton, Conn.) knotted the match at two apiece with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Castrichini at #6 singles, followed by Erikson's 6-2, 7-5 win over Rosenfeld to put the Hawks up 3-2. DeNunzio needed three sets at #1 to push the Hawk advantage to 4-2 with a 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 win over Martin.

Yet the Seahawks continued to fight back, as the final three singles matches all went three sets. Strong dropped the first set 2-6 to Kleitz at #3 singles before winning 6-2 and 6-1 to earn another point for Salve Regina. Masso followed with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory at #2 over Lange to set up the deciding match between Isch and Pacino.

The loss for Roger Williams' snaps the Hawks' 14-match winning streak and marks their first loss to a Commonwealth Coast Conference opponent in 25 matches. With the win, Salve Regina claims their second TCCC title in three years.

Salve Regina improves to 13-10 and will represent the TCCC in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, while Roger Williams finishes the season with a record of 16-7.

Tennis Match Results

Salve Regina vs Roger Williams

05/01/10 at Bristol, R.I.

Salve Regina 5, Roger Williams 4

Singles competition:

1. Jeff DeNunzio (RWU) def. Andrew Martin (SRU) 6-4, 0-6, 6-3

2. Steve Masso (SRU) def. David Lange (RWU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0

3. Chad Strong (SRU) def. Dan Kleitz (RWU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1

4. Kevin Erikson (RWU) def. Zachary Rosenfeld (SRU) 6-2, 7-5

5. Aaron Isch (SRU) def. Jason Pacino (RWU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1

6. Kyle Baker (RWU) def. Brian Castrichini (SRU) 6-1, 7-5

Doubles competition:

1. Andrew Martin/Steve Masso (SRU) def. David Lange/Dan Kleitz (RWU) 8-5

2. Chad Strong/Zachary Rosenfeld (SRU) def. Kevin Erikson/Nicholas Hawvermale (RWU) 8-6

3. Jeff DeNunzio/Jason Pacino (RWU) def. Aaron Isch/Brian Castrichini (SRU) 8-3

Match Notes:

Salve Regina 13-10, 8-3 TCCC

Roger Williams 16-7, 11-0 TCCC

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,4,3,1,2,5)

The Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship

#1 Roger Williams vs. #3 Salve Regina

Salve Regina wins the 2010 TCCC Championship