Fort Myers, Fla.—The change of weather agreed with the Skidmore College baseball team, who opened the 2011 season with a 6-4, 3-0 sweep of Bethel College at Terry Park.

Playing outside for the first time since practice began Feb. 1, the Thoroughbreds (2-0) scored four runs in the top of the seventh for a come-from-behind win in the first game. Rob Rubenstein drilled a two-run triple to key the comeback.

Rubenstein was 2-3 with a run. Leejay Pollacchi went 2-4 with three runs and a stolen base. Zack Rudman, Matty Tatkow, and Zack Brown had two hits each. Bobby Stafutti earned the win in relief.

In the second game, Nick Laracuente was in late season form on the mound with a complete game shutout. He allowed three hits (all singles) with no walks and four strikeouts.

Skidmore took advantage of 11 walks to scratch out three runs on only three hits. Pollacchi and Alex Barber walked three teams each. Tatkow was 1-1 with a run, two walks, and two stolen bases.

The spring trip continues on March 14 with a pair of games against Nichols College.