Cougars Tally Win in California Opener

LaVerne, Cali. (3/9/07) - Sophomore Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) tossed six innings of relief to pick up the win allowing just one unearned run, as the Kean University baseball team opened up their California spring trip with an 8-5 win over the University of LaVerne Friday afternoon.

With the win the Cougars improve to 3-0 on the season, while the Leopards fall to 7-8.

For the second time this season, junior Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.) got things started with a lead off homerun over the rightfield wall to give Kean an early 1-0 lead. Senior Perry Schatzow (Ocean Twp., N.J.) tacked on another run in the first with an RBI single to drive in Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) who also reached on a single.

After a long third inning, the Cougars were forced to play catch-up down, 4-2. Kean got things started in the top of the fifth as Schatzow lined a double into the gap in left-center to create a second and third situation, with just one out. Junior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) drove across the first run with an RBI single, followed by an RBI by third baseman Ryan Clark (Livingston, N.J.) with a squeeze bunt. That would tie the score at four all.

Kean then exploded in the sixth, recording four runs. Freshman Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) tacked on two with an RBI double.

Schatzow finished the day with a 3-for-4 performance while Clark had two RBI and two hits. Sophomore designated hitter Mike Shymanski (Edison, N.J.) was also 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Aich (1-0) allowed just three hits in six innings of relief for the win. He also fanned three and walked four.

The Cougars will return to action on Saturday, March 10th as they take on Chapman University at 7 pm local time.