Kean Sweeps Rowan, 10-4 & 9-4
Union, N.J. (3/29/08) - Senior Derek
Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) combined for five RBI with two
homeruns as #3/9 Kean University swept visiting #16 Rowan
University, 10-4 & 9-4, Saturday afternoon at Jim Hynes
Stadium.
Gianakas finished the afternoon with a 4-for-8 performance with
five runs scored as well as a triple in addition to his two
homeruns. With both wins the Cougars improve to 18-5 overall
and 2-1 in the NJAC.
Catcher Robert Fox (Ocean Twp., N.J.) was 2-for-6 with
two runs scored and a solo shot for the Profs. With the loss
Rowan falls to 13-6 and 1-3 in conference play.
Game One (Kean 10, Rowan 4)
Through the first five and a half innings of action, all eyes were
on the pitching mound as the top pitchers of each team faced
off. Rowan's Ryan Kulik (Marlton, N.J.) held a
slight edge in the early going, as he didn't allow a Cougar hit
until the bottom of the sixth. Kean's Joe Bartlinski
(South Amboy, N.J.) held his ground, however, fanning 12
through six innings of action. RU's lone run up to that point
came off of Fox's solo shot in the top of the second inning.
Kean broke up the no-hitter and the shutout in the bottom of the
sixth as seniors Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.)
and Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) each hit
two-out singles. Gianakas gave KU their first lead of the
game with a three-run blast to left-centerfield for a 3-1
advantage.
Rowan answered back in their half of the eighth with three runs
of their own. Juniors Garrett Mull (Chatsworth,
N.J.) and Tom Reindel (Flemington, N.J.) each had RBI
singles in the frame.
The Cougars put the game away in the bottom of the same inning
with seven runs. Freshman Jared Orgel (East Hanover,
N.J.) provided a two RBI single up the middle while senior
Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.) had an RBI
single.
On the mound, reliever Brandon Aich (Sayreville,
N.J.) (pictured right) picked up the win in relief for the
Cougars. Aich (2-1) tossed one and two thirds innings
allowing no runs and just one hit, striking out one. Starter
Joe Bartlinksi earned a no-decision after tossing seven and a third
innings allowing four runs and seven hits, he walked two and fanned
13.
Kulik recorded the loss for the Profs. Kulik (4-2) threw
seven plus innings allowing eight runs, six earned, and six
hits. He also struck out 10 and walked four.
Offensively Burke was 3-for-5 with two runs scored for the
Cougars.
Game Two (Kean 9, Rowan 4)
Kean jumped on the board first with a three run first inning.
Burke got things going with a sacrifice fly. Gianakas
followed up with an RBI single. Orgel (pictured left) rounded
out the scoring with an RBI double to right-center.
Rowan tied things up with a three-spot in the top of the
third. With the bases loaded, Joe Franceschini (Toms
River, N.J.) hit a two RBI single. Roland Rodriguez
(Miami, Fla.) tied the game by scoring on a wild pitch.
KU got all the runs they would need in the bottom of the same
inning, plating four runs. Gianakas led off the inning with a
triple to left center. Sophomore Mike Moceri
(Yardville, N.J.) drove in Gianakas with a sacrifice
fly. After Orgel reached on a double, senior Dan
Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) singled him home. De La
Rosa completed the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Junior Drew Campbell (Hillsborough, N.J.)
picked up the win in relief. Campbell (4-1) tossed four
innings allowing four hits and a run. Aich (3) entered the
game in the seventh and picked up the save after throwing three
innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit.
Starter Kevin O'Hara (Clayton, N.J.) picked up the loss
for the Profs. O'Hara (5-2) threw two and a third innings
allowing seven runs and seven hits.
The Cougars will return to action on Thursday, April
3rd as they take on the Pioneers of William Paterson at
Jim Hynes Stadium at 3:30 p.m.
