Union, N.J. (2/22/14) – Junior Charles Thielmann tossed eight innings allowing one earned run with nine strikeouts as the third ranked Kean University baseball team opened the 2014 season with a 10-4 win over Baruch College.

The contest, that was the opener for both, was put on the schedule just yesterday as the field was made playable after the Northeast has been hampered by snow this year.  With such good weather today, both teams were anxious to get on the diamond.

Sophomore Sal Taormina led the offense with a 1-for-4 day and four RBI, while teammate Joe O'Connor added three RBI of his own off two hits, including a double.

The Cougars (1-0) jumped on the board in their first bat and didn't look back.  With two outs in the first, sophomore Ryan Kelley got the first hit of the season with a single up the middle.  After swiping second, he scored the season's first run on a single from O'Connor.  Junior Andy Lopez, who reached via a walk, would make it 2-0 after scoring on an RBI single from Taormina.

After trading single runs between the third and fourth, Kean gave themselves a cushion with a four spot in the bottom of the fourth.  O'Connor provided the key hit, with a bases loaded, two RBI ground-rule double.

The Bearcats pulled within three (7-4) as they added two runs in their half of the seventh, aided by two Cougar miscues, but that would be a close as they would come as Kean responded with three runs in the eighth to seal the win.

Pinch-hitter Anthony Fischetti collected two RBI with one swing while Kelley finished with two hits, including a double.  Starter Paul Perez suffered the loss for Baruch as he allowed five earned runs in three and a third innings of work.

Kean returns to action on Sunday when they face Gwynedd Mercy University for a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.