Azusa, Calif. (3/22/12) – Sophomore Joe O'Connor blasted three homeruns on his way to recording five RBI as the #3/4 Kean University baseball team surged past the University of La Verne, 16-7, Thursday afternoon.
The win breaks a two game skid versus La Verne dating back to 2009. Kean improves to 13-4 this season and finishes with a 4-2 record on the west coast. The loss drops La Verne to 14-9.
The Cougars exploded for seven runs in the first inning with seven hits as they batted around. Senior D.J. Breckenridge registered two doubles in the first inning alone from his leadoff position, while O'Connor blasted his first homer of the day, a three run shot, to highlight the inning.
The Leopards responded with three runs in the bottom of the same frame as Jacob Ludvik recorded a two RBI double.
Kean then put the game away with three more runs in the third and four in the fourth. Senior Dylan Laguna started off the third with a solo shot and O'Connor quickly followed with his second of the day, for back-to-back homeruns.
Offensively O'Connor was 4-for-5 with five RBI and four runs scored, while tying a single-game record with his three homeruns. Breckenridge was 4-for-4 with three RBI and two doubles from his leadoff position. Senior Eddie Jennings was 3-for-5 with a homerun, two RBI and three runs scored.
On the mound, senior Chris Cirlincione picked up the win. Cirlincione improved to 3-0 after tossing five innings with seven strikeouts. Rookie Charles Thielmann tossed three shutout innings of relief.
Kean returns back to the east coast and will face Keystone College in regional competition on Sunday.