Union, N.J. (2/11/23) – The Kean University baseball team used a three run sixth inning to push past St. Joseph's University Long Island by the final of 4-3 on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Starter Collin Kiernan kept the Golden Eagles off the board through the first four innings with a solid start. In the top of the fifth St. Joseph's strung together a walk and single to start the frame. A failed bunt and a strikeout gave Kean two outs and what appeared to be a strike-em out throw-em out happened at third, but the umpire called Anselm Joya safe prolonging the inning. Phil Krpata took advantage and lined a single into the gap to score two.
Kean got one back in the same inning as Gianni Marano led off the inning with a single. Tyler Stone later doubled him home as the Cougars trailed 2-1.
In the next inning Kean scored what would be the go ahead and winning runs. The Cougars took advantage of two Golden Eagle miscues while recording three hits of their own. Phil Marcantonio tied things up with a sacrifice fly. Tyler Provost gave the Cougars the lead with an RBI double and later scored what would be the winning run on the second St. Joseph's miscue of the inning.
The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to one with an RBI single from Nick Vicino in the top of the eighth but reliever Nolan Rowan was able to work out of more trouble with a strikeout and a nice leaping catch from Caleb Rodriguez.
Nick Houghton worked into and out of trouble in the top of the ninth to earn his first save of the season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Marano was 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Provost was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Rodriguez finished with a multi-hit day as he was 2-for-4. Kiernan collected his first win of the season after tossing seven innings allowing two runs and six hits with seven strikeouts.
Joe Sanguedolce was 2-for-4 while James Maggio who entered the game in the later innings was 2-for-2 for St. Joseph's.
UP NEXT:
Kean enjoys a short break and will host The College at Old Westbury on Friday afternoon.
