Moosic, Pa. (5/15/13) – The Kean University baseball team picked up win number one in their first game of the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional as they defeated Penn State Harrisburg by the final of 12-7 Wednesday afternoon.
With the win, Kean advances to take on #4 Alvernia University, who defeated #5 Johns Hopkins University by the final of 10-5 in game one of the day.
The Cougars (35-10) jumped on the board with a three spot in the first thanks to a bases-clearing triple from junior Joe O'Connor, his team-leading eighth of the season. The contest then moved into a see-saw affair, with each team scoring over the course of their next two at-bats. Kean, however, retained the lead throughout, leading 5-3 after three.
Kean put the game out of reach with a six run fourth frame to take an 11-3. Rookie Matt Meleo started things off with a triple. Junior Tyler Smarslok reached first after being hit-by-a-pitch, the 17th time this season. Junior Andy Lopez delivered with an RBI single, followed by a bunt single off the bat of senior Nick Ramagli. With the bases loaded again, O'Connor lined an RBI single, followed by an RBI groundout from rookie Salvatore Taormina. Junior Shane Alvarez made it 10-3 with a two RBI single to center and catcher James Lyczkowski rounded out the scoring with an RBI single of his own.
The Lions (26-15) rallied in the ninth, plating four runs with four hits, but it wasn't enough as Kean held on for the win.
Junior Nick Zucchero picked up his fourth win of the year as he tossed eight innings allowing three runs, two earned, with seven strikeouts and two walks. Freshman Chris Amato earned his first save of the season as he came into the ninth with the bases loaded, up by five. He got the final out of the game with a flyball out.
Offensively Lopez was 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored while O'Connor was a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBI and two walks.