Union, N.J. (4/5/16) – The Kean University baseball team pounded out 10 runs and 14 hits on their way to sailing past the College of Staten Island by the final of 10-1.

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Senior Sal Taormina was 2-for-2 with four RBI to lead the Cougars who are now 13-9 on the season.  The loss drops CSI to 11-9 overall.

After stranding runners on third in the first two frames, the Cougar offense came alive in the third, pushing out to a 4-0 lead.  With a runner on first, senior Ryan Kelley hit a ball near second that caromed off the umpire into the outfield for a double.  Taormina drove home two with a single and later scored on an RBI single from sophomore Matt Krupa.  On the same play, Krupa advanced to second on the throw home and an overthrow trying to get him at second allowed him to score for the quick 4-0 advantage.

Kean didn't stop there adding three more in the fourth as rookie Nik Fraim recorded his first collegiate hit, a double.  With two outs, senior Ryan Reitmeyer made it 5-0 with a single and after swiping second, came around to score on a single from Kelley.  Kelley followed the same pattern and after stealing second, crossed the plate on an RBI single from Taormina.

The Dolphins erased the shutout in their last at-bat as Joe Palmieri broke up a streak of 13 consecutive retired CSI batters with a double to start the ninth.  A walk and a single loaded the bases for Phil Ciprello who grounded into a double play allowing Palmieri to score. 

Offensively, Kelley was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and was a homerun shy of the cycle.  Krupa was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI while Reitmeyer was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. 

Starter T.J. Locatelli (pictured left) earned his first collegiate win in his first appearance after tossing five innings allowing just three hits.  Rookies Kyle Gaeb and Ajay Kawa combined for three innings of perfect ball with three strikeouts. 

Kean returns to NJAC action on Thursday when they travel to William Paterson University.