Top seeded Kean University advanced in the elimination bracket with an 11-3 victory over No. 5 Mitchell College on day two of the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional.

The Mariners were eliminated with their second loss and the Cougars will now play on Friday at 1:15 p.m.

Kean (35-11) opened the game with one run on one hit in the top of the first inning. With one out, junior Ryan Reitmeyer lined a double into the gap and moved 90 feet away on a wild pitch.  Fellow junior Ryan Kelley then used a groundball to bring him home for the game's first run.

The Cougars exploded in the top of the third inning with nine runs on eight hits to extend their lead to 10-0. Four runs came with two outs during the rally.  Highlighting the inning in which Kean batted around included a two RBI single from Kelley, a two RBI single from senior Tom McGuckin and a two RBI single up the middle from Tyler Heisch. 

Mitchell (32-7) got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning with three runs on five hits to cut the deficit to 10-3.  That would be it as senior Charles Thielmann closed the door the rest of the way. 

Kean added a run in the top of the seventh inning for its eventual 11-3 victory.

Thielmann pitched eight and two-third innings for the victory. He struck out six, improving to 8-2 on the season.

McGuckin (pictured left) led the team going 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.  Kelley finished with a team-high three RBI.

The Cougars will face the loser between No. 2 Alvernia and No. 6 Misericordia from the winner's bracket on Friday at 1:15 p.m.