Union, N.J. (4/12/14) – Junior Matt Mantione fired a complete game, 12 inning shutout as the Kean University baseball team picked up their first doubleheader and conference series sweep of the year by topping NJCU, 3-2 & 1-0.
Mantione's 12 inning performance sets a new single-game Kean record for shutout innings pitched while tying a single-game inning pitched mark with Danny Zeffiro (2007 World Series). In today's nightcap, Mantione (3-2) allowed just five hits (four singles and one double) with 12 strikeouts and no walks.
Kean (21-7, 6-4 NJAC) pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the 12th as senior Joe O'Connor worked an eight pitch walk. After a failed sacrifice attempt, sophomore Ryan Reitmeyer, found real estate as he lined a double all that rolled all the way to the wall, scoring O'Connor for the game's only run.
Michael Martucci suffered the loss for the Gothic Knights (9-15, 3-7 NJAC) as he threw three and a third innings of relief allowing the only run of the nightcap. He allowed two walks and two hits and added two strikeouts. Starter Matthew Wagner received a no-decision as he tossed eight innings, allowing seven hits, striking out five.
In the opener it was New Jersey City University that struck first, plating two runs in the top of the fourth. Taylor Born started off the frame with a single and moved to third off a double from Eric Giordano, sandwiched between an out. The Cougars were able to pick up a strikeout, but with two outs, Alex Weinstein lofted a single into the gap, brining home both runners.
The Cougars rallied for the win in the bottom of the eighth as senior Tyler Smarslok got on board with a one out walk. He would swipe second and move to third on a single off the bat of sophomore Matt Meleo. Sophomore Sal Taormina erased the shutout with an RBI single and O'Connor later followed with a two RBI double to left center to give Kean the lead.
Southpaw Mike Occhi (3-0) was then able to shut down the Gothic Knights in order in the ninth to seal the complete game win. Occhi allowed two runs and seven hits as Kean used just two pitchers in 21 innings of action today. Starter Kevin DeMauro suffered the loss for NJCU. DeMauro (2-5) allowed three runs and seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
The Cougars return to action on Tuesday when they host Moravian College in a rescheduled matchup.