Union, N.J. (4/19/13) – Senior Kevin Herget tossed a complete game to help #2/3 Kean University get past William Paterson University by the final of 4-2, Friday afternoon in NJAC action.
The Cougars (26-6, 10-2 NJAC) rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth to edge William Paterson and take the season series sweep for the regular season. Herget earned his fifth win of the season (5-2) as he allowed just two runs on five hits (all singles) with seven strikeouts and one walk.
The matchup featuring the top two teams in the NJAC didn't disappoint as both teams turned in complete game efforts from their starters and hustling defense to back them up.
It was the Pioneers (20-10, 8-4 NJAC) breaking through first with two runs in the third. Sophomore Mike Arnold worked a leadoff walk and moved to third on a hit-and-run single to right from junior Scott Ptaszynski. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch, giving WP their first run of the contest. Later in the inning, senior Ryan Gibbons used a two-out single to right to move the lead to 2-0.
It seemed like that would be all the scoring in the matchup as both pitchers worked their magic and both defenses turned sparklers to keep the game tight.
In the pivotal eighth frame, rookie Matt Meleo got things going with a one-out single. A wild pitch would move him into scoring position and a nine-pitch at-bat from junior Tyler Smarslok forced a walk. As Smarslok moved to first, Meleo moved to third with another wild pitch in the frame. With runners now on the corners, starter Steve Coral got a Cougar strikeout for the second out of the inning, but Smarslok was on the move to second, swiping the base. An alert Meleo then broke for home, breaking up the shutout.
With Kean's hottest hitter, senior Nick Ramagli at the plate, Smarslok moved 90 feet away with another wild pitch. Ramagli worked a five-pitch walk, setting up runners once again at first and third. A double-steal was successful again for the Cougars, tying the ballgame up at two-all. Junior Joe O'Connor then gave the Cougars the lead for good with an RBI single. O'Connor got himself into scoring position by stealing second and advancing to third on an overthrow. He would later score on a wild pitch, the fourth of the inning.
That would be all Herget would need, as he shutdown the Pioneers in order in the ninth with two strikeouts and a groundout to seal the win.
Coral suffered the loss for the Pioneers after tossing eight innings with three strikeouts and three walks. Coral (5-2) allowed three earned runs and eight hits.