Union, N.J. (2/10/23) – The Kean University baseball team rallied for a walk off win against Drew University by the final of 8-7 on Friday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

It was a game of bunches.  Drew (0-1) took advantage first and plated three runs in their first at-bat, highlighted by a two run homer from Will Fritch.

The Cougars (1-1) tied things right back up with three of their own in the same frame. Kean received RBI hits from Phil Marcantonio and Nick Houghton.

The Rangers jumped back out to a three run lead with another three spot, this time in the fifth, aided by Cougar miscues.

Kean closed the deficit to one with RBI groundouts from Christian Pellone and Josh Jackson in the seventh inning.

Drew added insurance in the top of the ninth as Luis Fuentes found the hole in the left side, scoring KJ Hallgren from second with two outs.

That set up the pivotal last chance for Kean.  Kyle Adorno and Brett Hilsheimer both reached base via a hit by pitch to start the inning and Pellone loaded the bases with an infield hit.  Jackson pushed across the first run of the inning, reaching on an infield error, which also allowed Hilsheimer to tie the game.  Raiden Yost then got two outs, leaving the game tied and in the hands of Tyler Provost.  Provost, who entered the game as a defensive replacement in the top of the inning, chipped a 2-2 hit into short center just out of reach of the centerfielder who was only able to trap it for the walk-off win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Gianni Marano, who moved from first to pitcher in the top of the ninth, earned his first win of the season.  He struck out one and allowed one hit.

Pellone was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI while Adorno was 2-for-3 with three runs scored from the leadoff position.

For Drew, Ryan Jones was 3-for-4.

UP NEXT:

Kean closes out the week hosting St. Joseph's College-Long Island on Saturday at noon.