Patchogue, N.Y. (3/25/11) – The Kean University baseball team picked up their 14th win of the season as they defeated St. Joseph's College-L.I., 8-4, Friday afternoon in their first away contest on the east coast.
Leadoff hitter Vinny Galya got things started as he reached base as he was hit-by-a-pitch. After swiping second and third he was brought home on a sacrifice fly from junior Lee Cavico. Kean would add on to their lead in the middle innings as they plated four between the fourth and sixth. Senior Chris Carrano recorded a bases loaded walk in the fourth and senior Nick Nolan added a two run homerun in the fifth. Junior D.J. Breckenridge scored on a throwing miscue after reaching on a walk.
After the Golden Eagles (6-9) got on the board with a single run in the seventh, the Cougars answered with three more in the eighth. St. Joseph's rallied in the ninth with three runs of their own after scoring two on bases loaded situation with a hit batsman and walk, but sophomore Chris Judge recorded two outs via strikeouts to earn the save and help the Cougars to the win.
In a predetermined rotation in which six pitchers were used starter Mike Russo earned the win. Russo (3-0) tossed two innings allowing two hits with two strikeouts. Starters Joe Bartlinski, Ryan Zamorsky, and Kevin Herget all tossed two innings apiece combining for nine strikeouts.
Offensively senior Ken Gregory was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double and a triple and Galya was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three stolen bases.
Kean enjoys their first weekend off this season and will return to action on Tuesday when they host FDU-Florham at 3:30 p.m.