Union, N.J. (2/24/17) – SUNY Old Westbury rallied with two outs in the ninth to snag a 5-4 win over the Kean University baseball team on another picture perfect spring-like day.
In the deciding ninth frame the Panthers were trailing, 4-3. Kevin Lao started off the inning by being hit. Dean Sheridan reached on a fielder's choice that recorded a lead runner out and he subsequently moved to second on a wild pitch. Tyler Roberts then moved him 90 feet away with a groundout for the second out of the inning. Paul Rapoli delivered an 0-1 single through the right side to tie things up and he moved into scoring position on another wild pitch. Catcher Carlos Balmaceda registered the game-winner with another single through the right side, scoring Rapoli.
Old Westbury (1-1) took an early lead with a three spot in their first at-bat. Back-to-back walks to start the inning gave Tommy Ziegan an RBI opportunity that he delivered on with a single in the hole. Later in the inning a throwing miscue by the Cougars sent both runners home for a quick 3-0 lead.
The #15/19 Cougars (4-1) chipped away with a single run in the third thanks to a one out triple from Mike Fidanza. Ivan Rivera recorded an RBI groundout to close the deficit at 3-1.
Kean then tied the game up at three-all in the sixth as rookie Nick Polizzano registered a one-out double in the gap, scoring Brian Cole and Matt Krupa who reached on an error and single respectively.
Krupa gave Kean the lead in the seventh with a two out single up the middle.
Sophomore Tyler Hopman took the loss in the complete game effort. Hopman (1-1) fanned nine. Reliever Trey Pizzutello (1-1) earned the win after tossing two shutout innings.
Offensively Krupa was 3-for-4 while Polizzano was 2-for-4.
Kean returns to action on Sunday when they host FDU-Florham at noon.