Video Highlights
WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (14-11, 3-3 NJAC) fell short against visiting Kean (15-11, 4-2 NJAC), 6-3, April 11.
The Cougars crossed the plate once during the top of the first inning as senior right fielder Ryan Kelley doubled down the left-field line, stole third and scored when senior designated hitter Sal Taormina lifted a sac fly to left.
Kean added four more in the third. A single and a groundout led to a Kelley double to right center, a Taormina double to center field, an Andy Lopez two-bagger to left center and a Ryan Reitmeyer double down the left-field line.
KU made it 6-0 in the fourth when freshman center fielder Shayne Fontana sent a two-out double under the first baseman's glove and into right field, and Kelley followed with an RBI-single up the middle.
The Pioneers got three back during the home half of the sixth. Three straight walks issued to senior left fielder
Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), junior center fielder
Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) and junior right fielder
Mike Rowe (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) to open the inning were followed by a hard liner to left by junior catcher
Mike Knauf (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) for a sacrifice fly. After a passed ball advanced Abate and Rowe 90 feet, graduate student shortstop
K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) dropped a two-run single in front of the center fielder.
Abel was 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Knauf finished 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Junior
Mike Sasso (West Orange, N.J./Montclair Kimberley) threw the first 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out two over 3.2 innings (1-5). Freshman
Eric Rosenberg (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) gave up just one hit over his 4.1 innings of work, and sophomore
Bryan Kopko (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) had one hit allowed while working the ninth.
Kelley was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and two runs scored for Kean. Sophomore Mike Occhi surrendered three runs (two earned) on two hits and four walks, posting one strikeout in 5.1 innings as the starter (1-1). Freshman Ian Fitzgerald covered the final 3.2 innings and scattered two hits and two walks while registering four strikeouts for his first save.
William Paterson will host Montclair State Thursday, April 14, at 3:30 p.m.
For all of the latest information on the Pioneers, visit
http://www.wpupioneers.com and
http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia.
