Whittier, Calif. (3/8/14) – Sophomore Brock Podgurski lined a two RBI single that capped a three run ninth inning rally as the Kean University baseball team edged the University of La Verne by the final of 7-6 for the second straight day.

After falling behind, 6-4 in the late innings, the Cougars (8-1) got things going in their last at-bat as senior Tyler Smarslok lined a single to right center and a ground ball moved him into scoring position.  Down to their final out, Kean then capitalized on two straight fielding errors on the corners.  The first fielding error extended the inning and loaded the bases for sophomore Sal Taormina.  Taormina's ball to third couldn't be handled and inched Kean closer now still with the bases loaded and the score, 6-5.  That set up Podgurski who in his first start this season lined a single into left center, driving home the tying and game-winning runs. 

Senior Shane Alvarez, technically appearing in his first game as a collegiate pitcher, then worked the bottom of the ninth, going one batter over the minimum, to earn the save. 

After a slow start for both teams, the Cougars broke through first with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 4-0 lead.  Senior Joe O'Connor lined a one out triple into the gap, scoring two runs in the fourth and Smarslok and junior Andy Lopez combined for RBI singles in the fifth. 

The Leopards (5-9) then rallied to tie the score at four-all all with two outs in the bottom of the fifth with five straight hits.  La Verne would go on to score single runs in the seventh and eighth for their first lead of the game.

Sophomore Vinny Zanfordino earned the win in relief.  He tossed one and two thirds innings allowing just two hits. 

Offensively Smarslok was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI while O'Connor was 2-for-5 with two RBI.