Union, N.J. (4/25/14) – The Kean University baseball team pounded out 15 hits on their way to topping Richard Stockton College, 10-1, Friday afternoon.

The win salvages a split in the home-and-home series as Kean improves 27-9 this spring and 11-5 in the NJAC.  The Cougars are now tied for third in the conference standings behind Rutgers-Camden and Rowan who sit one game ahead.  While the top four teams have been decided (Kean, Montclair State, Rowan, Rutgers-Camden), their placement is all dependent on tomorrow's outcomes.

A day after giving up 16 hits, the Cougars were the first to strike, plating four in the first.  Three straight singles to start the game from Tyler Smarslok, Ryan Reitmeyer and Matt Meleo put Kean ahead, 1-0.  Junior Andy Lopez made it 3-0 with a two RBI triple in the gap and Sal Taormina closed out the first frame scoring with an RBI groundout.

Kean continued to pour it on, scoring in each of the next three innings to take a 9-0 lead.  Highlighting the second was a leadoff triple from catcher Michael Kendall, who came around to score on a single up the middle from Reitmeyer.  The third inning saw an RBI double off the bat of Taormina and an RBI single from sophomore Ryan Kelley. 

A small two-out rally in the seventh gave Stockton (15-17, 5-11 NJAC) their only run of the contest as Luke Root worked a bases loaded walk.

Rookie Mike Occhi earned his fourth win of the year as he tossed seven innings allowing one run and four hits.  Senior Shane Alvarez worked two scoreless innings of relief.

Offensively, Taormina finished with a game-high three RBI while Reitmeyer and Lopez each tallied three hits.

Kean closes out the NJAC regular season on Saturday when they travel to Rowan in a pivotal doubleheader beginning at 11:30 a.m.