Cougars Claw Past Rams, 7-1
Union, N.J. (3/25/08) - Junior
Joe Rizzo (Staten Island, N.Y.) tossed eight
innings allowing just one run to pick up his first win of the
season as #3/9 Kean University defeated visiting Farmingdale State
College, 7-1, Tuesday afternoon at Jim Hynes Stadium.
Senior Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) was 2-for-3
with two RBI for the Cougars who improve to 15-4 overall with the
win. Junior Tom Heeman (Valley Stream, N.Y.) was
3-for-4 with a double for the Rams (7-10) in the loss.
Both teams traded solo runs between the bottom of the fifth and
top of the sixth innings. It wasn't until the bottom of the
sixth that Kean gained some ground, plating four runs in the
frame. Freshman Jared Orgel (East Hanover,
N.J.) led off the inning with a triple. Later in the
inning, two Cougars came around to score after a throwing miscue by
the Rams. Seniors Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst,
N.Y.) and Ammirata rounded out the scoring with an RBI a
piece.
KU tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh as
senior Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) (pictured
right) singled up the middle to drive in two.
Rizzo (1-0) allowed seven hits and one earned run in eight
innings, fanning six and walking just one to earn the win.
Junior Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) faced the
minimum three batters in the ninth, striking out two.
Offensively sophomore Mike Diaz (Westfield,
N.J.) was 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Orgel
finished the afternoon with a 2-for-4 performance.
Kean opens up New Jersey Athletic Conference play this Thursday,
March 27th as they travel to rival Montclair State
University for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch.
