Union, N.J. (3/20/11) – The Kean University baseball team rallied from a sluggish start to defeat #25 Keystone College, 6-4, in a key regional matchup on Sunday afternoon.

The #4 Cougars improve to 12-3 overall while the loss drops Keystone to 5-6.

After both teams traded single runs in the second inning without the benefit of a hit on either side, the Giants capitalized in their half of the third with three runs aided by three Kean miscues to take an early 4-1 lead.

Sophomore Kevin Herget, who entered the game in the third inning, then settled things down and allowed just four hits the rest of the way to earn his third win of the season.  In six and two thirds innings of work he allowed one unearned run and three walks, he also fanned eight, including the final out of the game with the tying run in scoring position.

The Cougars offense showed through in the bottom of the fourth as sophomore Sean Kelly singled home senior Ken Gregory, who reached on a leadoff single.  Rookie Tyler Smarslok then tied the game at four-all thanks to a two out, two RBI single to left.

Smarslok recorded an RBI groundout in the sixth as senior Kyle Walker scored the go-ahead run.  Kean added insurance in the eighth as Kelly lofted a sacrifice fly scoring senior Nick Nolan, who reached on a leadoff double.

Nolan was 1-for-2 with three runs scored and reached base twice as he was hit-by-a-pitch.  Smarslok enjoyed a 1-for-4 day with three RBI and Kelly finished with two RBI.

Senior Brad Higgins suffered the loss for Keystone.  Higgins allowed five runs, four earned, in six innings of work.  He struck out five and walked one.

Offensively for the Giants outfielders Roberto Santana and Andrew Siano each recorded two hits.

Kean returns to action on Tuesday when they host SUNY College at Old Westbury at 3:30 p.m.