Montclair, N.J. (4/10/16) – The Kean University baseball team split in NJAC action in a rescheduled matchup with Montclair State University, winning game one 2-1 and falling in game two, 3-1.
With today's win, head coach Neil Ioviero reached career win #600. Ioviero stands with a 600-231-2 record in 19 seasons with the Cougars.
Game One
The Cougars (14-11, 3-2 NJAC) used a complete game effort from rookie Tyler Hopman (3-0) in the opener. Hopman (pictured left) allowed just one run and scattered five hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
In a classic pitchers' duel, runs were at a premium. Trailing 1-0 heading into the seventh, senior Ryan Kelley led off with a walk. Teammate Sal Taormina reached via catcher's interference and both moved into scoring position on a sacrifice. A squeeze from classmate Andy Lopez tied things up a one-all and fellow senior Ryan Reitmeyer gave the Cougars the lead with an RBI single.
Hopman got out of a big jam in the eight as Ryan Long started off the inning with a walk. He swiped second and moved to third on an error all with no outs. Hopman was able to strand him there with a lineout to the infield, a strikeout and a fly out to end the inning.
In all there were only eight combined hits allowed in the opener as Red Hawk starter Donald Cusick (1-1) also went the distance with five strikeouts, zero earned runs and three hits.
Game Two
MSU (12-11, 3-2 NJAC) got on the board in their first at-bat with a single run manufactured with two outs. Joe Foote laced a double and came around to score on a Philp Scott single.
The Cougars tied things up in the fourth as Lopez (pictured right) hit a solo shot to left.
The Red Hawks took the lead for good in the bottom of the same inning with an RBI single and a wild pitch.
Michael Macchia (4-1) picked up the win tossing eight innings allowing one run and seven hits. Frank Dente IV suffered the loss for Kean. Dente (1-1) allowed all three runs in three and a third innings of work.
Offensively in game two, Kelley was 2-for-4 while Lopez was 3-for-4 with his first home run of the season.
Kean returns to NJAC action on Monday in a rescheduled matchup at William Paterson at 3:30 p.m.