Union, N.J. (5/23/25) – The Kean University baseball team needed extra innings, but came through clutch in the field and at the plate to edge Salve Regina University, 4-3, on Friday afternoon in game one of the NCAA Division III Union Super Regional.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
It was a classic pitchers' duel through the first six innings, with neither team able to push across a run.
Salve Regina (35-8) struck first, working a small rally with two outs in the seventh. Shea Donovan singled to left, stole second and came around to score on a single from Grady Schopps.
Kean responded and took the lead in the same inning as Justin Teixeira and Nick Sellari connected on back-to-back singles. Dominic Masino delivered with a two RBI double to give Kean (39-8) a 2-1 lead.
The Seahawks tied things right back up in the top of the eighth as Brandon Grover scored on a wild pitch.
Salve then took the lead in the top of the ninth as Hunter Yaworski took a 2-1 pitch deep to right center for a leadoff homer.
Down to their last at bat, the Cougars started things off with a pinch-hit leadoff single from JT Abrusci. He was lifted for pinch-runner Dylan Falk and Teixeira recorded a successful sacrifice that left a hole at third base which Falk capitalized on. The Seahawks throw towards third sailed down the line, allowing Falk to tie things up at three-all.
Salve put the go-ahead run on first with a leadoff single from Christian Homa to start the 10th. Homa moved to second on a sac bunt and Reistle saved a run for the second out of the inning, laying out to his right to snag a line drive heading for open space in right. After moving to third on a wild pitch, the Kean defense held with a groundout to end the threat.
In the bottom of the 10th, Tyler Stone lofted a one-out single. CJ Tomalavage reached after being hit in the arm, setting up Reistle who delivered with a single to right for the walk off.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Rob Salvatore (4-1) earned the win in relief. He allowed just one hit in two innings of work. Lucas White earned a no decision, throwing seven and two thirds innings. He allowed two runs and five hits, walking four and striking out five.
Sellari, Reistle and Masino all had two hits on the day.
The loss snapped a 20-game winning streak for Salve Regina.
UP NEXT:
Both teams return to action for championship Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m.
