Cougars Claw Past Centenary, 7-1
Union, N.J. (3/11/08) - Sophomore Nick
Cesare (South Plainfield, N.J.) picked up his first win
while sophomore Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) drove in
two runs as #10 Kean University defeated visiting Centenary
College, 7-1, Tuesday afternoon at Jim Hynes Stadium.
With the win the Cougars improve to 7-2 overall while the Cyclones
fall to 0-2.
Centenary got on the board first as they plated a single run in
the top of the third. Junior Jayson Loder (Bethlehem,
Pa.) led off the inning with a walk and after consecutive
groundouts moved his way around to third before scoring on a passed
ball.
The Cougars broke the game wide open in the bottom of the fifth
as KU dropped down three consecutive bunts with the bases-loaded to
drive in three. The last bunt by senior Derek
Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) was then kicked away off the line
into the Cougar dugout to force in senior Maikel De La Rosa
(Newark, N.J.) (pictured right) who started the bunt
parade. Nolan would later drive in two with a double to
leftfield and Orgel rounded out the scoring with an RBI single as
KU batted around.
On the mound, Cesare tossed six innings allowing one unearned run
while also striking out seven and walking three. Juniors
Joe Rizzo (Staten Island, N.Y.) (pictured left)
and Matt Grinkevich (Allentown, N.J.) threw a
combined three shutout innings allowing a hit apiece while also
striking out a combined three.
Offensively, senior Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst,
N.Y.) was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored while Nolan
was 2-for-3.
The Cougars will enjoy a couple days off before heading out to
sunny California. First game is Saturday, March 15, with a
doubleheader at LaVerne beginning at noon pacific time.
