Union, N.J. (3/24/13) – Sophomore Andy Lopez and junior Joe O'Connor combined for six hits and four runs scored as the #8/9 Kean University baseball team powered their way past Oneonta State, 13-6, Sunday afternoon.

Lopez was 3-for-5 with a team-high three RBI and a triple.  O'Connor was 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and two stolen bases as Kean improves to 13-4 this season.  Sophomore Matt Mastroianni led the Red Dragons (3-9) with two hits, including a double and run scored.

The Cougars took advantage right from the start, plating seven runs with eight hits in the first frame.  Lopez provided the first blow, a two run triple, plating rookie Matt Meleo and junior Tyler Smarslok, who reached on a walk and single, respectively.  Later in the frame it was Meleo back to the plate as Kean batted around where he delivered a two RBI single right back up the middle, giving Kean a 6-0 lead.  Smarslok followed with an RBI single to round out the first inning scoring.

The Red Dragons and Cougars traded single runs in the second, before Kean put the game out of reach with three more in the third.  Lopez got the scoring started in third with an RBI single, scoring freshman Mike Kendall who reached on a leadoff double.  O'Connor reached via a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to record an RBI and rookie Salvatore Taormina lofted a sacrifice fly to put Kean ahead, 11-1 after three innings of play.

Oneonta chipped away plating two runs in the fifth and sixth and added a single run in the seven, but it was not enough to get out of the early deficit.

Senior Sam Fourre picked up the win for Kean.  Fourre (3-1) struck out three and walked two, allowing nine hits in five and two thirds innings.  Freshmen Vinny Zanfordino and Andrew Torres combined for three and third innings of relief, allowing just one run and one hit the rest of the way.

In all, 17 Cougars saw action in the matchup as Smarslok, Kendall, and junior Shane Alvarez all recorded multi-hits on the afternoon.

Kean continues their home stand and will square off against SUNY College at Old Westbury on Tuesday at 3 p.m.