Union, N.J. (4/14/22) – The Kean University baseball team held on through rain and rallies to defeat Ramapo College, 15-12 on Thursday in NJAC action.

The game was halted in the top of the eighth for lightning and then rain and resumed 97 minutes later.

The game featured a combined 27 runs, 29 hits and six homeruns.

Kean (23-6, 6-1 NJAC) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in their first at-bat as Josh Jackson and Dylan Beyer each recorded two RBI hits, with Beyer registering a ground-rule double.  Gianni Marano added an RBI single for the quick 5-0 lead.

The third inning started the see-saw action as each team then plated multiple runs in each of their half of the inning between the third and fifth frames.  The Cougars never lost the lead and eventually led 14-7 through six innings of play. 

Matt Carovillano launched a two run homer for the Roadrunners (10-14-1, 2-5 NJAC) in the seventh to cut the deficit to 14-9.  The storm pushed through and when play resumed, Kean was the first to score as Brett Hilsheimer knocked in an RBI double to put the Cougars ahead, 15-9.

In their final at-bat, Ramapo used back-to-back homeruns from Carovillano (his second of the day) and Harold Calero to pull within three.  Nick Nemes worked into and out of trouble, including a nice layout grab from Michael Lapczynski.

Offensively Hilsheimer and Marano each had four RBI as both collected homeruns.  Hilsheimer was 4-for-6 with a double and two runs scored while Marano was 3-for-5 with three runs scored.  Jackson was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Daniel Chiusano (2-0) earned the win in relief.  He allowed two runs and one hits in two and two thirds innings of work. 

The two teams will square off again tomorrow in Mahwah at 3:30 p.m.