Wayne, N.J. (4/18/13) – Senior Nick Ramagli was a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs scored and a solo blast as the Kean University baseball team took over sole possession of first in the NJAC with a 9-4 win over William Paterson University.
Sophomore Charles Thielmann picked up his team best sixth win (6-1) as he tossed his third complete game of the season allowing four runs and nine hits with six strikeouts and two walks. The Cougars improve to 25-6 overall and 9-2 in the NJAC.
Infielder Rob Pasternack drove in two for the Pioneers who fall to 20-9 this season and 8-3 in conference play.
Trailing 1-0 heading into the third, the Cougars plated two to take the lead for good as junior Joe O'Connor singled home fellow junior Tyler Smarslok. Ramagli scored his first of four runs after swiping home.
Kean pushed the lead out to 6-2 with a three run fifth and a single run in the seventh. With the bases loaded in the fifth, freshman Salvatore Taormina lined a single to left that was overrun by the leftfielder, clearing the bases and giving Kean a 5-1 advantage. The Pioneers answered with one in the bottom of the same frame before Ramagli lofted his second homerun of the season, a solo shot, in the top of the seventh.
William Paterson didn't go quietly, inching closer at 6-4 with a two run eighth. With two outs, Pasternack lined a single up the middle, bringing home two.
The Cougars put the game out of reach with a three run ninth, all with two outs. Sophomore Andy Lopez got things started with a double and would score on Ramagli's second RBI of the day, a single up the middle. Ramagli would later steal third and come around to score on an errant throw. Kean rounded out the scoring as O'Connor swiped home.
O'Connor was 2-for-4 with two runs scored an RBI and three stolen bases.
The two teams will be back at it again on Friday at Jim Hynes Stadium, with first pitch slated for 3:30 p.m.