Whittier, Calif. (3/13/14) – Senior Tyler Smarslok tallied four hits as the Kean University baseball team outslugged Whittier College, 12-10, Thursday afternoon in their west coast finale.
With the win, Kean improves to 11-2 this spring, while finishing at 5-1 on their spring break trip. Today's win snapped an 11 game win streak for the Poets (11-6).
The Cougar bats came alive right from the get-go as they plated eight runs in the first three innings. Kean pushed their lead to as many as 10, staking a 12-2 lead after five innings. Junior Andy Lopez launched a three run blast to push a 9-2 lead out to a 12-2 advantage with the shot.
The Poets rallied in the sixth, cutting the Kean lead to 12-8 with a six spot, using seven hits. Whittier chipped away with a single run in the eighth and ninth, but junior Matt Mantione was able come into the game and get the final two outs to preserve the win.
Senior Nick Zucchero (2-0) tossed five innings allowing two runs and four hits.
Offensively Lopez was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI while sophomore Eric Fernandez collected three hits.
Kean returns home to New Jersey and are scheduled to resume their non-conference schedule on Tuesday.