Union, N.J. (5/4/13) – Ramapo College took advantage of two Cougar miscues with two outs in the ninth to rally past the top seed by the final of 6-5 Saturday evening in NJAC Tournament action.
With the win, Ramapo (28-13-1) advances to take on Rowan University in the NJAC Championship on Sunday at noon. If the Roadrunners defeat Rowan, a winner take all game will take place immediately following the noon contest.
With the loss, Kean (32-10) is eliminated from the NJAC Tournament. The Cougars have two regular season contests with York College (Pa.) and Farmingdale State College in the coming week and will have to earn a Pool C bid in order to move on to the NCAA Tournament.
It was a see-saw affair in today's action as Ramapo took an early 1-0 lead with an RBI single from Dave Jacob. Kean responded with two in the top of the second as catcher James Lyczkowski lined an RBI, two-out double and rookie Matt Meleo added an RBI single, giving Kean a 2-1 lead. The Cougars added one more with a single run in the fourth.
Ramapo answered and tied the game up at three-all with a two run seventh. Catcher Ryan Rinsky registered a bases-loaded RBI single while pinch-hitter Kevin Case collected an RBI fielder's choice.
Kean took the lead with a two run eighth frame. Freshman Salvatore Taormina delivered an RBI single while junior Shane Alvarez tacked on a run with a sacrifice fly, putting the Cougars back on top, 5-3.
Ramapo didn't go quietly, knotting the game back up at five-all with two runs of their own in the bottom of the same inning. The Roadrunners crossed the plate with a wild pitch and a passed ball.
In the fateful bottom of the ninth, Jacob reached with a two-out throwing miscue. He then got into scoring position by swiping second. Jacob later looked to be heading toward third on a ball in the dirt, but slipped. The Cougars tried to catch him and instead a wild throw advanced him just 90 feet away. That set up sophomore Chris Werr who found the hole on the right side for the game-winner.
Jacob finished the game with three hits and two runs scored. Meleo led the Cougars with a three hit day from the leadoff spot.
Junior Dan LaRocca picked up the win in relief. LaRocca (5-4) allowed just one walk and struck out one with an inning of work. Reliever Vinny Zanfordino suffered the loss for Kean. Zanfordino (3-1) allowed one hit and one unearned run in an inning and a third of work.