Mahwah, N.J. (4/9/17) – Senior T.J. Locatelli earned his first win of the year in his first start of the season with seven and a third shutout innings as the Kean University baseball topped Ramapo College, 4-1, Sunday afternoon.
In the rescheduled matchup from Thursday, Matt Krupa and Mike Fidanza led the Cougars (16-10, 3-3 NJAC) with two hits each.
Kean pushed across the game's first run in the third, all with two outs. Krupa got aboard with a walk and rookie Nick Polizzano followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Polizzano swiped second and both runners moved 90 feet with a wild pitch.
The Cougars made it 2-0 in the fifth as Derek Walker led off the inning with a single and moved into scoring position with a sacrifice from Brian Cole. Krupa delivered with an RBI single.
The lead was extended to 4-0 with two in the sixth as Brock Podgurski and Walker each placed perfectly placed bunts for an RBI each.
The Roadrunners (9-12, 3-3 NJAC) erased the shutout in the bottom of the ninth with a bases loaded walk, but Austin Arndt was able to limit the damage and walk away with his second save of the season.
Locatelli (1-0) allowed just three hits and three walks with six strikeouts. Arndt tossed two thirds of an inning, recording a walk and strikeout.
Rob DeAngelis accounted for two of Ramapo's five total hits.
Kean will host Drew University in a newly added game this Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.