Cougars Sweep Rutgers-Camden, 8-1
& 3-2
Camden, N.J. (4/19/08) - Sophomore designated
hitter Mike Moceri (Yardville, N.J.) plated the
tie-breaking run on a ground out in the eighth inning of game two
to help the Kean University baseball team complete a New Jersey
Athletic Conference sweep over Rutgers University-Camden, 8-1 and
3-2, Saturday at Campbell's Field.
Kean improves to 27-8 overall and 11-4 in the NJAC, while
Rutgers-Camden falls to 7-24 and 1-13 in conference play.
Game One (Kean 8, Rutgers-Camden 1)
The Cougars took advantage of seven hits, eight walks, two hit
batsmen and two Scarlet Raptor errors in the opening game as they
posted an 8-1 victory.
The Cougars scored all the runs they would need in a three-run
third inning, sparked by a leadoff walk from senior shortstop
Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.). He advanced on a
wild pitch and scored on a single to right by senior left fielder
Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.). Following a pair
of walks to load the bases, Moceri hit a sacrifice fly to make it a
2-0 game. Senior Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.)
rounded out the scoring in the inning with an RBI single.
For the game, Ammirata went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three
RBI, while Mattonelli and senior center fielder Bryan Burke
(Lindenhurst, N.Y.) each added two hits. De La Rosa walked
twice and scored three runs for the Cougars.
Winning pitcher Joe Bartlinski (South Amboy, N.J.)
(pictured right) raised his record to 5-2, working seven innings of
three-hit ball. He walked six, struck out six and allowed just one
earned run.
Junior Damien Wright (Millville, N.J.) took the loss,
allowing three hits, seven walks and seven earned runs in three and
a third innings. He fanned one.
Game Two (Kean 3, Rutgers-Camden 2)
With the score tied at 2-2 in the eighth, Kean collected a
one-out double by senior right fielder Derek Gianakas
(Edison, N.J.). He advanced to third base on a wild
pitch. Sophomore first baseman Nick Nolan (Linden,
N.J.) was then hit-by-a-pitch. On the next play, Moceri
hit a slow grounder to shortstop, allowing the tie-breaking run to
score as the play went to first base.
Kean scored a pair in the first inning, the first coming on
Moceri's sacrifice fly with the bases loaded. Moments later, the
Cougars ran a first-and-third play in which Ammirata was ruled to
have stolen home before Gianakas was tagged out at second base.
The Scarlet Raptors tied the game in the sixth after walks to
sophomore left fielder Zach Colgate (Haddon Heights, N.J.)
and sophomore catcher Greg Hunt (Marlton, N.J.).
With two outs, junior first baseman Matt Gabrielski (Atco,
N.J.) stroked a sharp single to right field and both runners
ended up near third base. Hunt retreated to second ahead of a play
as Colgate scored the first run. Hunt later scored on a single to
left by sophomore third baseman Kyle Ballay (Delran,
N.J.).
Lihotz (2-5) was tagged with the loss despite throwing his third
complete game of the season. He walked three and struck out three,
allowing three earned runs.
Junior reliever Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.)
(pictured left) picked up the win with three and a third shutout
innings of one-hit ball, walking one. Aich (6-1) struck out six.
De La Rosa and Ammirata each had two hits for the Cougars.
Sophomore center fielder Scott Fruits (Turnersville, N.J.)
went 2-for-4 for the Scarlet Raptors.
Kean will return to action on Tuesday, April 22nd when
they travel to take on St. Joseph's College-Patchogue at 3:30 p.m.
