Kean Opens 2009 On the Right Foot

Union, N.J. (2/21/09) - Junior southpaw Nick Cesare (South Plainfield, N.J.) tossed five and a third innings to pick up the win as Kean University opened the 2009 season defeating Stevens Institute of Technology, 4-3, Saturday afternoon at Jim Hynes Stadium.

Cesare (1-0) allowed two runs, one earned, while fanning seven and walking two.  Pitcher and designated hitter Ken Meerendonk (Sussex, N.J.) suffered the loss for the Ducks (0-3).  He (0-1) allowed four runs, two earned, in six and a third innings of work.

The Cougars got things going in the bottom of the third as freshman Lee Cavico (North Brunswick, N.J.) hit a sacrifice fly to score rookie Dylan Laguna (Edison, N.J.).  KU would tack on single runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth as catcher Mike Manganiello (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) collected an RBI single and Cavico (pictured right) drove in his second of the afternoon on a single to leftfield.

Stevens narrowed the lead to one as Tom Phillips (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) drove in two with a single to left in the top of the sixth inning.

Laguna got Kean started in their half of the seventh after reaching on a single and stealing both second and third.  He would later score on a Mike Moceri (Yardville, N.J.) single through the right side.

The Ducks tacked on another run in the bottom of the eighth, but that would be as close as they would get as closer Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) sealed the win with his first save of the year in one and a third innings of shutout ball.

Laguna (pictured left) finished the afternoon with a 2-for-4 performance, two runs scored and three stolen bases while sophomore Jared Orgel (East Hanover, N.J.) was 2-for-4 as well.