Whittier, Calif. (3/14/13) – The Kean University baseball team pounded out 11 runs and 15 hits on their way to edging Whittier College, 11-9, Thursday afternoon in their final game of their west coast trip.
Junior Shane Alvarez led all players with three RBI as he collected two hits including a double. Juniors Nick Zucchero and Tyler Smarslok each had a three hit day with two RBI apiece as Kean improved to 9-4. Max Bradshaw led the Poets with two hits, including a two run homerun as Whittier fell to 8-10 this season.
The Cougars sprinted out of the gate taking a 5-0 lead in the first three innings of play. Kean registered two runs in the first and second with a single run in the third. Smarslok tallied an RBI double while junior Joe O'Connor followed later with an RBI single. In the second it was a sacrifice fly off the bat of rookie Matt Meleo and an RBI single from Smarslok. Rookie Aaron MacKenzie collected his first RBI with a single in the third.
Whittier broke through in the bottom of the third with a single run before both teams traded runs in a high scoring fourth frame. Kean added three more all with two outs as Zucchero lined an RBI single and Alvarez delivered the big blow with a two RBI double. Whiiter answered right back with a four spot, highlighted by two long balls.
The Cougars scored what would be the difference with a three run, sixth inning. Zucchero, Alvarez and freshman Ryan Reitmeyer all provided RBI singles.
The Poets rallied for a single run in the seventh and poured on three more in the eighth. Sophomore Charles Thielmann (pictured left) was able to shut down Whittier with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to seal the win and pick up his second save.
Senior Sam Fourre (2-1) earned the win for Kean. Fourre tossed six and two thirds innings.
The Cougars return back home and face #12 Keystone College on Sunday at 1 p.m.
