Union, N.J. (4/9/15) – Senior Anthony Fischetti was 3-for-4 while classmate Tom McGuckin drove in two with a double as the Kean University baseball team propelled past New Jersey City University by the final of 6-3 in NJAC action.
Senior Mike Daley improved to 3-0 as he tossed six and two thirds innings allowing just one earned run with six strikeouts. He allowed four hits and walked five. Junior Vinny Zanfordino picked up his fourth save of the season after tossing the remainder of the contest with no outs, walks or runs.
The Gothic Knights (10-9, 3-4 NJAC) scratched across a single run in their first at-bat without the aid of a hit. Dmitri Rueger reached first after being hit by a pitch and would later swipe second and reach third on a passed ball. A throwing miscue allowed him to score, giving NJCU a 1-0 lead.
The #5/8 Cougars (21-6, 5-2 NJAC) took the lead for good in the bottom of the second with a four spot. Rookie Matt Krupa started off the frame lacing one of his two doubles on the day. A single from Fischetti put runners on the corners and a groundout moved FIschetti into scoring position, now with one out. McGuckin answered with a double in the gap, putting Kean on top for good, 2-1. The Cougars didn't stop there as an RBI fielder's choice from Matt Meleo and an RBI triple from Scott Durkin pushed the lead out to 4-1.
Kean tacked on two more in the third as junior Sal Taormina started things off with a walk. Back-to-back doubles from Krupa and Fischetti moved the advantage to five (6-1).
NJCU pushed across single runs in the fourth and sixth with an RBI double from Alex Weinstein and an RBI groundout from Chris Stevenson, but Zanfordino shut things down from there to secure the win.
Krupa was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI while McGuckin was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
For the Gothic Knights, who were held to four hits on the day, Michael Martucci had a pair of hits, including a double.
Kevin DeMauro (1-2) suffered the loss after a complete game effort. He allowed six earned runs and 11 hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
Both teams will square off again tomorrow, beginning at 3:30 p.m. in Jersey City.