Glassboro, N.J. (4/21/11) – The #3 Kean University baseball team rallied for three runs in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough as they fell to #23 Rowan University, 6-4, Thursday afternoon in NJAC action.
The loss snaps a nine-game winning streak for the Cougars who fall to 26-5 overall and 9-2 in conference play. Rowan improves to 22-7-1 and 9-2 in the NJAC.
Rowan was led by catcher Nick Turano who was 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Kean was led by senior Nick Nolan who was 3-for-4 with a run scored.
The Profs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with three hits and two stolen bases in the bottom of the first. The Cougars broke up the shutout in the third as rookie Tyler Smarslok recorded Kean's first hit of the afternoon and later scored on an RBI groundout by junior Lee Cavico.
Rowan would go on to score single runs in the third, fourth and sixth to take a 6-1 lead. But the Cougar bats rallied in the top of the ninth as Kean loaded the bases with no outs. Junior Dylan Laguna reached on a leadoff Prof miscue, followed by a singles by Nolan and infielder Nick Ramagli. Ryan Peterson was then able to record back-to-back strikeouts for two outs before the Profs entered their closer John O'Hara. With junior Vinny Galya batting, all runners moved up thanks to a passed ball putting the score at 6-2. Galya then lined a double into the gap, scoring two, closing the gap to 6-4. Senior Chris Carrano added another hit to put the tying run on base, but O'Hara was able to record the final out with a groundout for the final of 6-4.
Mike Swietanski (5-1) earned the win for Rowan. He tossed seven and two thirds innings allowing one unearned run while fanning 10. He also allowed four hits and walked two. Senior Joe Bartlinski suffered the loss for Kean. Bartlinski (3-2) allowed five runs in three plus innings, striking out five and walking two. Not to be lost in the action was a good relief performance by southpaw Chris Judge. Judge tossed five innings allowing just one run and eight hits. He walked two and struck out four.
The two teams will square off again on Friday at Jim Hynes Stadium at 3:30 p.m.