Union, N.J. (2/28/16) – Senior Ryan Reitmeyer delivered his second straight walkoff hit to end a furious comeback as the Kean University baseball team edged FDU-Florham, 6-5 in extra innings on Sunday afternoon.
Trailing 4-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth the Cougars (3-3) used a two out rally to tie things up and force the extra frame. Pinch-hitter Andrew DiFrancesco extended the inning with a sharp shot down the third base line putting runners on first and second (after senior Andy Lopez reached via a hit-by-pitch). Freshman Steve Santigate popped a ball straight up in front of home plate that was called by the catcher but the ball landed in between three players and good heads up base running allowed Lopez to score from second to inch the Cougars closer, 4-2. Graduate student Matt Meleo earned a walk to load the bases setting up junior Tyler Heisch. Heisch delivered with a single through the hole, tying the game up at four-all.
The Devils (0-1) struck in the 10th as Vinny Bonnaccorso doubled down the rightfield line with one out. A groundout moved him 90 feet away and FDU took the lead on a two-out single from Ben Thompson that found space between first and second.
Senior Ryan Kelley started off the bottom of the 10th with a single up the middle and Krupa got on board after a fielder's choice left both runners safe. Lopez then placed a bunt perfectly and good heads up running allowed Kelley to score all the way from second on the play and sophomore Matt Krupa to move just 90 feet away. A squeeze bunt from Reitmeyer registered the game-winning RBI, the second in-as-many days from the senior.
Reliever Vinny Zanfordino earned the win after tossing three innings of relief. He allowed just one run and three hits with three strikeouts. Steven Smiegocki suffered the game one loss after entering in the 10th.
Offensively for FDU, Frankie Tassielli was 3-for-5 with three RBI, including a two run homer in the top of the first.
Not to go unnoticed was the pitching performances of Kenny Carrier and Frank Dente IV. Carrier started for the Devils and allowed just two hits in five shutout innings. Dente entered the game in the second for Kean and allowed just one earned run in five and two thirds innings of relief.
The Cougars have one more game remaining before their spring break excursion to Puerto Rico when they host Moravian College on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
