Wayne, N.J. (4/11/16) – The Kean University baseball team used five doubles early to propel past William Paterson University by the final of 6-3 on Monday afternoon in a rescheduled NJAC contest.

Senior Ryan Kelley led the way with a 3-for-4 day with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.  The Cougars improve to 15-11 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

Kelley manufactured a single run in the first as he doubled his way on, swiped third and came around to score on a Sal Taormina sacrifice fly.

The offense then exploded in the third plating four runs with five hits, including three doubles.  Senior Chris Amato started the inning with a single and after moving up on an out scored on Kelley's second double of the afternoon.  Taormina singled home Kelley for a 3-0 lead and back-to-back doubles from seniors Andy Lopez and Ryan Reitmeyer pushed the lead out to 5-0 after three.

The Cougars added to their lead in the fourth as rookie Shayne Fontana lined a two out double and Kelley drove him home with a single up the middle.

The Pioneers (14-11, 3-3) cut the lead in half with three runs in the sixth, aided by the Cougars who loaded the bases with no outs on three straight walks.  A sacrifice fly, passed ball and two RBI single by K.C. Abel made the score 6-3 after six.

Freshman Ian Fitzgerald was able to hold WP scoreless from that point forward to earn his first save of the season.  Fitzgerald tossed three and two thirds innings allowing two hits and two walks with four strikeouts.  Starter Mike Occhi (1-1) earned the win as he threw five and a third innings.

Amato was 3-for-4 with a triple for Kean.

The Cougars return to NJAC action on Thursday when they travel to New Jersey City University.