Wayne, N.J. (4/18/14) – The Kean University baseball team picked up their second straight NJAC series sweep, as they pounded out six extra base hits on their way to a 5-1 win on Friday afternoon.

Kean (23-8, 8-4 NJAC) jumped on top early as sophomore Matt Meleo lined a one-out double down the line.  A William Paterson (9-16-1, 3-8-1 NJAC) miscue put runners on the corners for junior Andy Lopez who drilled a double into left for an RBI.  Sophomore Ryan Kelley crossed the plate on the second miscue of the inning, putting the score at 2-0.

Senior Joe O'Connor started the top half of the fourth with a blast to right, his first of the season, extending the lead to 3-0.  Meleo led off the fifth with a triple in the gap and Lopez made it 4-0 with an RBI single.

Base hits by senior Tyler Smarslok and Meleo allowed Kelley to hit a seventh-inning sacrifice fly for the Cougars' fifth run.

The Pioneers pushed across a run during the home half of the seventh as back-to-back walks started off the frame.  A groundout advanced the runners, and freshman Mike Abate's grounder was enough for Trevor Haughney to score.

Meleo finished 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored for Kean while Lopez added two hits and two RBI.

Junior Charles Thielmann (3-2) pitched a complete game, surrendering a run and four hits while walking four and striking out three.  Junior Joe Moran suffered the loss (0-3), allowing 11 hits and five runs (four earned) during 6.1 innings.

The Cougars return home on Saturday for a twinbill with Ramapo College beginning at 11:30 a.m.  The baseball program will recognize their six seniors prior to the start of the contest.