Reading, Pa. (3/21/16) – The Kean University baseball team used an offensive surge to push past Alvernia University by the final of 10-5 on Monday afternoon in non-conference action.

The Cougars (9-8) roped 20 hits in a cold, windy start to the official spring season led by the 4-for-6 day from Matt Krupa who added two doubles and two RBI.

Kean picked up a lead they would not relinquish in the first frame as Shayne Fontana and Ryan Kelley led things off with back to back singles, putting runners on the corners with no outs.  Sal Taormina lined a shot off the pitcher for the first RBI of the day and Krupa later followed with an RBI single for a quick 2-0 lead.  The Crusaders cut the lead in half in the bottom of the same inning with a two out single. 

Andy Lopez added a single run in the fifth driving home Kelley who started off the inning with a bunt single.  The Cougars pushed the advantage out to 5-1 with two more in the sixth as Brian Cole registered a sac bunt for an RBI, scoring Eric Fernandez who led off the inning with a double.  Kelley notched a double of his own for the inning's second run.

Alvernia rallied in their half of the seventh plating three runs on four hits with a walk.  Ferguson was able to strand the tying run on third with a fly out to preserve the lead and get out of the jam.

Kean added insurance with two in the eighth and three in the ninth.  Highlighting the eighth was a two out RBI double from Krupa and in the ninth was a two RBI triple from Chris Amato.

Southpaw Richie Ferguson earned the win.  Ferguson (2-2) allowed four runs in seven innings.  Reliever Ian Fitzgerald earned his first save after tossing two innings with one run and one hit.

Offensively eight starters recorded hits on the day with seven of those coming up with multi-hit performances.  Fontana, Kelley and Ryan Reitmeyer all had three hits apiece.

The Cougars enjoy a short break before traveling to Keystone College on Saturday.