Union, N.J. (4/16/22) – The Kean University baseball team improved to 9-1 in conference play with a sweep of Rutgers-Newark on Saturday winning the opener 1-0 in 10 inning and 19-1 in the nightcap.
Game One
Collin Kiernan tossed a complete game shutout, all ten innings worth as he improved to 8-0 on the season. Kiernan allowed seven hits and two walks while fanning 10.
It was a classic pitchers' duel as neither team had many opportunities in the contest. Rutgers-Newark (12-14, 2-8 NJAC) probably had their best shot in their first at-bat. Lisandro Ulerio doubled to start the game and Jamir Ramos followed with a bunt single to put runners on the corners. Ramos then swiped second to put both runners in scoring position with no outs. Kiernan settled in and struck out the side to keep the Scarlet Raiders off the board.
Rutgers-Newark threatened again in the seventh, with runners on second and third with one out, but Kiernan again battled to get two infield groundouts, keeping the game scoreless.
The Cougars pushed across the only run of the game in the bottom of the 10th all with two outs. Kyle Adorno reached on an error and later stole second. Gianni Marano found the hole at shortstop and the speedy Adorno scored the game-winner.
Rutgers-Newark starter Colin Thomson earned a no-decision after tossing eight innings of shutout ball allowing five hits, no walks and four strikeouts.
Game Two
The nightcap was the complete opposite of the opener as Kean (26-6, 9-1 NJAC) plated seven runs in the second inning and didn't look back as they collected 18 hits in total. In the second, Josh Jackson and Timothy Huxen started things off with back-to-back doubles. Adorno later registered an RBI single while Brett Hilsheimer drove in two with a single up the middle. Dylan Beyer kept the double parade going for an RBI and Michael Lapczynski lofted a sac fly to make it 6-0. Jackson batted around and closed out the scoring with an RBI single.
Kean then cruised with steller pitching from Justin Diefenbach and timely offense from many Cougars. HIlsheimer also recorded a highlight reel catch off a line drive in the fifth inning.
On the mound Diefenbach (4-1) tossed seven innings allowing no runs and three hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Bruce Weyand closed things out with two innings of work allowing just one run and one hit.
Offensively Beyer was 3-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored off the bench. Phil Marcantonio was 4-for-6 as the designated hitter with two runs scored and two RBI. Huxen, Jackson and Steve Petrosh all had multiple hits in game two.
Kean returns to NJAC action on Thursday when they travel to New Jersey City University.
