MSU COMPLETES REGULAR SEASON SWEEP,
7-3
Cougars Suffer First Home Loss of the Season
Union, N.J. (4/10/08) - Sophomore Jesus
Castano (West New York, N.J.) earned his first win of the year
as Montclair State University defeated Kean for the second time
this season, 7-3, Thursday afternoon at Jim Hynes Stadium.
The loss is the first for the Cougars this season in their new
facility (12-1 home record), as KU falls to 22-7 overall and 6-3 in
the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). The win improves
the Red Hawks to 12-9 overall and 5-2 in conference action.
MSU used steady scoring in the first three innings as they plated
two runs in the first, second and third innings on just three
hits. The Red Hawks took advantage of five walks issued in
the first three frames.
Kean got their first run of the afternoon in the bottom of the
first as senior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.)
singled home leftfielder Eric Ammirata (Hamilton,
N.J.), cutting the deficit to one run (2-1). MSU
then tacked on all the runs they would need in the second and third
innings to push them ahead 6-1.
Kean, who out-hit the Red Hawks 9-5, was led by sophomore
Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) (pictured right) who
recorded his fifth homerun of the season. Bryan Burke
(Lindenhurst, N.Y.), Ammirata, and Gianakas all recorded
two hits on the afternoon.
For the Red Hawks, shortstop Jay Bionde (Pompton Plains,
N.J.) tallied two hits and two runs scored.
Castano (1-0) earned the win after tossing five innings allowing
two runs and seven hits. He also struck out two and walked no
one. Sophomore Joe Bartlinski (South Amboy,
N.J.) (4-2) suffered the loss after tossing three plus
innings allowing six runs, five earned, along with three hits and
five walks. Nick Cesare (South Plainfield,
N.J.) entered the game in relief and allowed just two hits
in six innings of work. He also allowed one unearned run.
Kean will return to conference action as they travel to take on
the Pioneers of William Paterson University on Friday, April
11th at 3:30 p.m.
