Montclair, N.J. (5/9/21) – Philip Mahlik and Tim Huxen combined for seven RBI as the Kean University baseball team powered past Montclair State University by the final of 14-5 on Sunday afternoon.
With the win the Cougars (17-13) win the best-of-three series against MSU and advance to face top seeded Rowan University in the semifinal best-of-three series beginning next Friday. The games will be played at Sandcastle/Surf/Bernie Robins Stadium in Atlantic City, N.J.
The Cougars jumped out to 4-0 lead as Huxen drove in the game's first two runs with an RBI double in the first and an RBI single in the third. Mahlik made it 4-0 with a two RBI double in the fourth.
The Red Hawks (20-10) tied things up in sixth. MSU came within one with a three run fourth inning and Sam Angelo knotted the game at four-all with a solo homer.
Kean then exploded for eight runs in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach. Josh Jackson pushed across the winning run with a bases loaded walk. Huxen rounded out the scoring with a two RBI single.
Mahlik was 3-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBI while Huxen was 3-for-5 with four RBI and a run scored.
Justin Diefenbach (4-1) earned the win after tossing six innings. He allowed four runs and six hits. Justin Hernandez (3) earned the save after tossing three innings allowing three hits and one unearned run.
