Chapman Edges Kean, 4-2
Grand Chute, Wis. (5/23/08) - Senior Eric
Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) was 3-for-4 but it wasn't enough
as #1 Chapman University defeated #4/6 Kean University, 4-2, Friday
morning in the opening round of the NCAA Division III World Series.
The Panthers (40-3) did a bulk of the damage in their half of
the third as senior Mike Vass (Orange, Calif.) hit a
two-run double off the wall in left-center, driving in Ryan
Pretchl (Los Alamitos, Calif.) and Kurt Yacko (Costa Mesa,
Calif.) who both reached on singles.
After tacking on a single run in the top of the fourth, Kean
(39-10) began clawing back with a single run in the bottom of
the fifth. Senior Kevin O'Neill (Union,
N.J.) led off the inning with a double and would later
score in an RBI single by sophomore Chris Carrano (Lincoln
Park, N.J.). The Cougars best scoring opportunity
would come again in their next at-bat with runners on second and
third and one out, Kean pushed across one run to pull within 3-2 as
senior Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) singled
home Mike Moceri (Yardville, N.J.) who led off the
inning with a single. After swiping second, the Cougars once
again had runners on second and third with one out. Chapman's
Wade Kitchens (Oceanside, Calif.) then got O'Neill to pop
out to short centerfield and sophomore Nick Nolan (Linden,
N.J.) was tagged out at the plate after trying to advance
from third.
Kitchens improved to 9-0 after tossing six and two thirds
innings allowing two runs. He walked five and struck out
three. Yacko picked up his 15th save of the season
after tossing two and a third shutout innings.
Sophomore Joe Bartlinski (South Amboy, N.J.)
suffered the loss for the Cougars. Bartlinski allowed all
four runs on seven hits, he walked four and fanned five in seven
and a third innings of work.
KU will face the loser of the Johns Hopkins/Adrian game at 10
a.m. local time on Saturday, May 24th.
