Cortland committed three errors in a swirling wind in its win over Kean. d3photography.com photo by Larry Radloff

By David Radcliffe for D3baseball.com

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. -- Cortland State (40-7-1) brought 13 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, plating seven runs en route to a 10-5 victory over Kean (37-11) Friday afternoon at the 2012 Division III Baseball Championship.

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All but two of the Red Dragons’ starting nine came across home in the fourth, and those were all the runs Cortland State would need against the Cougars.

It was the 23rd consecutive victory for the Red Dragons, a team that hasn’t tasted defeat since April 4 against St. John Fisher. They were able to overcome some shaky defense and benefit from some of the same from Kean. A swirling wind gave players fits and contributed to the high run total.

Among those who had difficulty with the wind was Cougars’ shortstop Steve Sanguiliano, who misplayed a pop fly in the first inning.

“The wind was tough today, but what got me in the first inning was the sun,” Sanguiliano said. “The sun was in a terrible spot too. You have to tip your cap to their players because their left fielder, their shortstop and third basemen, they made a couple diving plays. If they don’t catch those balls, it’s a different game.”

The top of the Red Dragons lineup found its way on base more often than not, with the top three in the order scoring a total of five times. Matt June, Cortland State’s leadoff hitter, reached base in his first four plate appearances and crossed home twice. He may have also had the play of the game with a diving stab up the middle to get a force out at second.

“They started pitching around me in the last two at-bats, so I was just waiting for my pitch but I didn’t really see much, so I’ll take the walks and get on,” June said.

First baseman Max Rosing led the way with three RBI for Cortland State. Bryan Mistretta and John Adornotto also knocked in a pair each in the giant fourth inning rally.

For the Cougars, Sanguiliano knocked in two runs, had three hits and tripled in Keal’s two run seventh. Also with three hits and two RBIs for Keal was Eddie Jennings.

Command issues hampered Kean’s starting pitcher Kevin Herget. He only lasted 3 1/3 innings, walking six hitters, including three in the seven-run fourth and three in the first inning. Reliever Charles Thielmann came in and allowed three of the seven runs, but settled down and saved the Cougars’ pitching staff by closing out the game.

“Kevin has incredible stuff and it just wasn’t there today,” Cougars coach Neil Ioviero said. “If you guys see him on a good day, he makes it look easy. I’d be confident in running him out there if we hang around for a couple days.”

Ray Angelucci picked up the win for the Red Dragons, giving up three earned runs before being relieved after 6 2/3 innings of work.

Cortland State slumped at the plate throughout regional play, but the bats came alive on Friday. The Red Dragons scattered 13 hits and showed patience at the plate by drawing eight walks.

“Coming out of the regional where we didn’t have too many hits, that was a pleasant surprise but we’re certainly capable of it,” Red Dragons coach Joe Brown said. “We felt that we just had to get out of that regional, and then things change a little bit.”

The Cougars showed signs of life late, plating two in the seventh to cut the deficit to 10-5. But the Red Dragon fourth was just too much to overcome for Kean, who will now look to avoid elimination on Saturday against Webster.

Cortland State will play Wheaton (Mass.), a rematch from March 10 where the Red Dragons won 4-3 on a walk-off single.

“The game we played was earlier in the season, so they didn’t see our best, we didn’t see their best,” June said. “It was a good game and it came down to the last hit of the game, so I don’t think there’s any significance in playing them at all.”