UNION, N.J. (3/20/13) - Leadoff hitter Matt Meleo went 4-for-5 as the Kean University baseball team erased an early deficit to run past Alvernia University 15-6 on Wednesday afternoon. The Cougar bullpen did not allow an earned run over the final five innings and freshman reliever Vinny Zanfordino earned his first collegiate victory.

Kean fell behind 2-0 before coming to bat in the first, but soon erased the shortfall with seven runs on seven hits in the first inning. Five different Cougars had RBI in the inning, but D.J. Ross literally stole the show with a two-RBI single and a steal of home with two outs in the inning.

The Cougars continued to pile on to their lead in the next two innings. Sophomore designated hitter Anthony Fischetti struck the coup de gras; a two-out, bases loaded three RBI triple down the rightfield line to make the score 14-2.

Things settled down considerably after the explosive first three innings. Zanfordino, Andrew Torres and Chris Amato pitched the final five innings for Kean and allowed just four hits and no earned runs to deliver the win for the eighth-ranked Cougars.

Kean will travel to Eastern Connecticut University for a Friday showdown with the Warriors, who are receiving votes in the national poll.