Union, N.J. (3/26/21) – Stockton University used identical six run, ninth inning rallies to pull past the Kean University baseball team by the finals of 7-5 in each game of a non-conference doubleheader on Friday.
Game One – Stockton 7, Kean 5
In a game that took well over three hours to finish, the Cougars (4-3) were the first to strike with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings for a 2-0 lead. Dren Gocaj provided an RBI single and Cristian Corcione lined a solo homerun. The Ospreys (2-0) cut the lead in half with an RBI single from Luke Fabrizzi one inning later.
In the pivotal ninth inning, Fabrizzi reached to start the frame on an error. Dominic Meleo singled to the gap and advanced on the throw to put both runners in scoring position with no outs. That chased relief Dan Chuisano who would end up being the hard luck loser. Pinch hitter Ryan Mihlebach then doubled into the gap to give the Ospreys their first lead of the day, a lead they would not relinquish. From there Stockton only recorded one more hit, but timely fielder's choices and three wild pitches would give Stockton a 7-2 lead.
Kean did not go quietly, stringing together three straight hits to start the inning, followed by a bases loaded walk from Frank LoGiudice. Tyler Apt then got a pitcher's best friend with a double play and despite allowing another runner to score via a wild pitch, was able to get the final out with a groundout to end the threat.
James Wynne (1-0) earned the win in relief. He tossed two innings of shutout ball, allowing just three hits. Chiusano was the hard luck loser allowing two runs, one earned, in two and two thirds innings of relief allowing just two hits. Both three hole hitters racked up the walks in the opener as Rico Viani collected four and LoGiudice with three.
Game Two – Stockton 7, Kean 5
It was Kean again who jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three innings. Each team traded single runs down the stretch as the Cougars held on to a 4-1 advantage in the ninth.
Again it was Fabrizzi who got things going with a leadoff walk. A fielder's choice put runners on first and second and Marco Meleo cut the lead in half with a one out, RBI single. Later in the frame, Evan Geisler delivered the blow with a two RBI single up the middle to put Stockton on top, 5-4. Two batters later it was Ryan Swift with insurance on a two RBI single to left and now a 7-4 lead.
Kean scored one in the bottom of the ninth as Corcione scored on a wild pitch after reaching on a two out double. A diving stop by the shortstop ended the threat to close out the doubleheader sweep for the Ospreys.
Kean returns to action on Saturday when they host Rutgers-Camden at 11:30 a.m.
