Hoboken, N.J. (2/17/17) – The Kean University baseball team used a balanced scoring attack to scratch out a win in the season opener by the final of 5-3 against Stevens Institute of Technology on Friday.

The #15/19 Cougars were led by junior Frank Urso who was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a double and sophomore Steve Santigate who recorded two RBI.

Kean pushed across single runs in the second and third to take an early lead.  In the second, Urso worked a one out walk and rookie Nick Polizzano roped a double to put two runners in scoring position.  Santigate then recorded an RBI groundout for the game's first run.  Later in the third, senior Brock Podgurski made it 2-0 with a long sacrifice fly, scoring Ivan Rivera who reached on a leadoff error.

The Cougars pushed the lead out to 4-0 in the fourth as Urso led off the inning with a single and moved to third on an errant pickoff attempt.  Santigate registered his second RBI of the day with a bunt and John Carello later added to the lead with a bunt RBI single.

The Ducks (0-1) were able to get into the game when they erased the shutout in the sixth frame with two homeruns.  Mike Mule led off the inning with a solo shot to right center and Patrick Rood later homered to the short porch in left, a two run shot, to get Stevens right back into it.  Starter Tyler Hopman was able to work around the jam with a double play ball to hold the lead.

Kean added insurance in their final at-bat as junior Matt Krupa worked a bases-loaded walk.

Sophomore Kyle Gaeb picked up the save after working three innings of shutout ball.  He walked two and struck out three.  Hopman earned the win after tossing six innings with seven hits and five strikeouts.

The Cougars have their home opener on Saturday when they host Gwynedd Mercy University at 1 p.m.