Hoboken, N.J. (3/18/16) – In almost repeat fashion, Stevens Institute of Technology used a ninth inning rally to edge the Kean University baseball team by the final of 3-2 on Friday afternoon.

The teams, meeting for the second time this season, played to a 3-2 decision in the season opener with the Ducks (7-5) scoring the winning run in the ninth on a one-out single.

In today's matchup, it was the Cougars (8-8) who trailed heading into the ninth inning, 2-1.  With two outs and no one aboard, senior Ryan Kelley reached via a full-count hit-by-pitch.  Classmate Sal Taormina worked a full-count walk and sophomore Matt Krupa loaded the bases on a four pitch at-bat.  Senior Andy Lopez recorded an RBI with a bases-loaded, full count walk to knot the game at two-all.

In the bottom of the inning, Jonathan Toro worked a leadoff walk and Carlos Leon got on board with a bunt single.  A lineout kept the runners at first and second, but a hit-batsman loaded the bases for the Ducks.  Nick Sieber registered the game-winning, walkoff hit with a single in the gap for the win.

Trailing 2-0 heading into the eighth, senior Eric Fernandez tallied the Cougars' first homerun of the season with a two-out solo shot to rightcenter.

Not to be lost in the action were the performances of today's starting pitchers.  Just like the first meeting, Jayson Yano recorded a no-decision.  Today he tossed six shutout innings with two hits and five strikeouts and no walks.  For the Cougars, freshman Tyler Hopman allowed one unearned run in five and a third innings.

Fernandez (pictured left) finished with a 2-for-3 day.

Kean will be back on the road on Monday when they travel to Alvernia University after the postponement of Sunday's home game against St. John Fisher.