Union, N.J. (3/23/15) – Southpaw Richie Ferguson tossed three plus innings of relief with eight strikeouts to earn the win as the Kean University baseball team topped DeSales University by the final of 5-2.

Ferguson (2-0) allowed one run and three hits in three and a third innings of work.  Junior Vinny Zanfordino picked up his third save as he threw two and two thirds innings of shutout ball to close out the game.  He fanned two and walked no one.

Hits were at a premium today as a combined 12 walks and three hit batsmen were recorded in the game, helping to result in 18 runners being left on base.  The pitcher's best friend, double play, was turned three times with the rarely seen triple play turned in the bottom of the fifth.  With runners on first and second, junior Sal Taormina lined a shot towards the middle on a hit and run.  With the runners going, second baseman Tyler Sweeney was shading up the middle, and he snagged the line drive and started the easy turn to second base where Danny Licamara was covering for the second out.  Licamara then threw to first for the inning ending play. 

The #6/7 Cougars took advantage of three Bulldog miscues in the third inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead.  Kean using timely bunting and errant throws to take the lead.  DeSales (3-7) erased the shutout in the top of the next inning with a bases loaded walk from pinch-hitter Carlos Urena. 

DeSales returned the favor in the bottom of the same inning as Kean was the benefactor of a bases loaded walk, this time from catcher James Lyczkowski to push the lead out to 3-1.  The Bulldogs inched closer with a solo blast from Alec Hardy in the seventh, but the Cougars (12-4) put it away in the bottom of the same inning thanks to an RBI from senior Anthony Fischetti and an RBI single from rookie Matt Krupa.

Hardy recorded the only multi-hit performance of the day for either team.

Kean returns to action on Wednesday when they now host Keystone College at 3 p.m. (please note change in location)