Jersey City, N.J. (4/14/16) – The Kean University baseball team used a five run third inning to power past New Jersey City University by the final of 9-5 on Thursday afternoon in NJAC action.
Rookies Tyler Hopman and Kyle Gaeb combined for the win and save as Hopman (4-0) tossed five plus innings allowing three earned runs and six hits. Gaeb (pictured left) earned his first collegiate save after throwing four shutout innings with two hits and three strikeouts.
With today's win Kean improves to 16-11 on the year and 5-2 in conference play. The Gothic Knights fall to 13-10 and winless in NJAC play (0-5).
After a scoreless first inning the Cougars scored the game's first run in the second as freshman Tyler Mornhineway drove in senior Sal Taormina who led off the inning with a walk. NJCU took their only lead of the day in the same frame all with two outs and with the benefit of two Kean errors. Dan Berardi recorded a two out double and after a catcher's interference call, C.J. Pulcine tied things up with an RBI single. An errant throw allowed another run to score for the 2-1 count.
The Cougars then put the game away with a five spot in the third inning, benefiting from two NJCU miscues.
Mornhineway was 3-for-4 with two RBI and a double. Taormina was 0-1 with an RBI and three walks and Andy Lopez was 2-for-3 with a double.
The two teams will square off again tomorrow in Union beginning at 3:30 p.m.
