Union, N.J. (3/17/23) – The Kean University baseball team split a doubleheader with SUNY New Paltz falling in the opener, 2-1 and winning the nightcap, 3-1.
Game One – New Paltz 2, Kean 1
HOW IT HAPPENED:
It was a pitchers' duel from the start as neither team was able to get their offense going. In fact, the first run scored by each team was unearned. New Paltz (3-6) plated a single run in the top of the fourth as Matt Sarni reached via a single with one out. After an error on a stolen base attempt left him safe at second, Fabian Apicella delivered with a single up the middle for the 1-0 score.
Kean (11-6) answered back in their half of the sixth as Tyler Provost reached on a two out error. Two batters later, Gianni Marano singled up the middle to knot the score at one-all.
The Hawks scored the go-ahead run in the next inning as Tommy Kreider singled with one out and after swiping second, was driven home by a single from Christopher Sais.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
For the Cougars, Christian Pellone recorded two hits while Brett Hilsheimer was 1-for-4 with a double.
Ryan Mackle and Sais each had two hits in the win for the Hawks.
On the mound, Xavier Zykoff earned the win after tossing one inning of relief. Bobby Ramsey collected a save after tossing two innings allowing just one hit.
Game Two – Kean 3, New Paltz 1
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Cougars plated all their runs in the second inning. Josh Jackson singled sandwiched between two strikeouts. He later stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. A walk to Caleb Rodriguez put runners on the corners and Rodriguez moved into scoring position, swiping second. Hilsheimer appeared to take first on a step off pitching violation, but after some discussion by the umpires he was brought back into the box still with a full count. He delivered in a big way with a two RBI triple into the gap. A walk to Nick Houghton again put runners on the corners and Pellone responded with an RBI single.
New Paltz erased the shutout in the eighth inning as Jordon Rios and Andrew Webber started off the inning with a walk and hit-by-pitch. Houghton came in to try and get out of the jam, but a walk loaded the bases with no outs. He was able to record a groundout (scoring one run), a flyout and big strikeout to get out of the inning, allowing just one.
After allowing a leadoff single in the top of the ninth, Houghton recorded his second save of the year by inducing a groundout and two strikeouts.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Starter Justin Diefenbach (2-1) earned the win after tossing five tidy innings. He allowed no runs on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts.
Offensively, Hilsheimer was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a triple.
UP NEXT:
Kean hosts Alvernia University on Monday in a rescheduled matchup.
