Union, N.J. (4/23/11) – The #3 Kean University baseball team topped Rutgers-Newark by the final of 8-3 Saturday afternoon in New Jersey Athletic Conference action.
The Cougars and Scarlet Raiders were the only NJAC schools who got to play on Saturday after a soggy overnight and morning rain. But thanks to FieldTurf at Jim Hynes Stadium and a break in the rain, they were able to get one game in of the scheduled doubleheader. The two teams will meet again on Monday at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark for a 4 p.m. start to complete the series.
Kean (28-5, 11-2 NJAC) was led by junior Lee Cavico who was 2-for-3 with four RBI while Rutgers-Newark (19-12, 9-4 NJAC) was led by junior Chris Ballester who was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a triple.
The Cougars jumped on the board with two runs in the top of the third. Catcher Eddie Jennings got things going with a single to right and rookie Tyler Smarslok followed with a bunt single to put runners at first and second. With two outs, senior Chris Carrano walked to load the bases. Cavico took advantage with a two RBI single to left to put Kean up 2-0.
The Scarlet Raiders responded and took the lead with a three spot in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Michael Cassese started things with a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second by senior Matt Conors. After a strikeout put two outs on the board, senior Patrick Reitemeyer was hit-by-a-pitch putting two runners aboard. Ballester then lined a triple down the rightfield line to knot the game at two all. Junior Tim Miller then drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the gap.
But the Cougars held Rutgers-Newark the rest of the way and added two runs in each of the sixth, seven and ninth innings. Kean took the lead for good in the sixth as Carrano led off with an infield single. After a sacrifice bunt moved him to second, senior Ken Gregory drew a walk to put two runners aboard. Senior Kyle Walker then laced a single to right to tie the game at 3-3. Senior Nick Nolan drove in the go-ahead run with a single to left.
Sophomore Kevin Herget earned the win for the Cougars. Herget (6-0) allowed three runs and six hits while fanning 11 and walking two in eight innings of work. Sophomore Greg Baruka completed the game striking out one and allowing two hits in the ninth. Southpaw Billy Cerruti suffered the loss for Rutgers-Newark. Cerutti (3-6) allowed six runs and nine hits while walking five and striking out three in seven innings on the mound.
Carrano reached base all five times at the plate today and was 2-for-2 with three walks and three runs scored while Smarslok was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Connors and Cassese each had two hits in the loss for Newark.