Whittier, Calif. (3/7/14) – Sophomore Matt Meleo lined a pinch-hit double to drive home the winning run in the top of the ninth as the #3/5 Kean University baseball team edged the University of La Verne, 7-6, Friday afternoon.

Rookie Richie Ferguson picked up his first collegiate win as he tossed four innings of relief.  He allowed just two hits and one walk.  Ferguson also struck out three.

It was a see-saw battle throughout as just two innings in the contest were scoreless.  Tied at six-all heading into the ninth, sophomore Sal Taormina led off the inning by lacing a liner to third.  Taormina was lifted for pinch-runner Brock Podgurski who then moved to second with a bunt and third on a groundout, setting up Meleo.  Meleo then lined a ball into the gap on a 0-1 pitch, driving home the winning run.

Offensively senior Shane Alvarez was 2-for-4 with two RBI as the Cougars (7-1) collected five extra base hits on the afternoon.

The two teams will be right back at it on Saturday in game two of a three game set, with first pitch scheduled for noon local time.